Current status: Answered by Elaine Murray on 8 November 2002
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the underspend in the Historic Buildings Repair Grants Scheme in 2001-02, whether Historic Scotland has discouraged applications being made to the scheme until 2005 and, if so, what the reasons were for the position on the matter.
I have asked Graeme Munro, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to respond. His reply is as follows:No. Historic Scotland has never knowingly discouraged suitable applications from being made under the Historic Buildings Repair Grant Scheme. Previously, general advice was given to applicants on when their projects might gain a place in Historic Scotland's forward programme in the light of the demand for these grants. This advice was intended to assist applicants to plan their fund raising and the preparation and submission of technical information. Such advice is now given on a case-by-case basis and updated as the application proceeds through various stages.