

Prince of Wales correspondence with Minister for the Environment, 2004: illegal fishing (Elliot Morley)

Dear Mr. Morley

Thank you so much for your letter telling me about the High Seas Task Force. I Must say that it is enormously encouraging to know of your efforts to try and bring to heel the recalcitrant countries who sanction, either directly or by turning a blind eye, pirate and illegal fishing and I do wish you well in your endeavours. You have certainly managed to bring together a powerful alliance of N.G.O.s and countries. I particularly hope that the illegal fishing of the Patagonian Toothfish will be high on your list of priorities because until the trade is stopped, there is little hope for the poor old albatross, for which I shall continue to campaign…

By the way, I wonder whether any thought might have been given to the possible role that could be played by the navies of the countries associated with the High Seas Task Force? I am probably being very ignorant about all this, so please forgive me, but is the Royal Navy, for instance, included in the discussions on this issue? I daresay you will tell me there are all sorts of legal problems that prevent any worthwhile action…!

Incidentally, I am also looking forward to the publication of the Royal Commission’s report on sustainable fishing. I hear on my own grapevine that it may be quite hard-hitting, which can only be a good thing and I just hope that the powers-that-be, and the general public, take note of its findings.

Thank you again for writing as you did. I know just what a personal commitment you have made to this issue and how deeply you feel about it. Let us hope that between all of us who mind about sustainable fishing, we can make a difference before it is all too late…

Yours most sincerely,

Charles

Prince of Wales correspondence with Secretary of State for Culture, 2004: conference invitation

Dear Heather,

I understand from Kathy Hasler at The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment that she has been in touch with you in the last days to invite your Secretary of State to attend a conference to be hosted by the Foundation at Shoreditch on Thursday, 18 November entitled “Local Identity in a Fast Track Age”. The aim of the day is to create a set of practical recommendations on how to balance local identity with the need for more efficient, low-cost, fast-track production techniques for housing.

Knowing the Secretary of State’s interest in, and recognition of, ‘local identity’, The Prince of Wales thought that the Minister might welcome an invitation to join the delegates for some, or all, of the event to provide a perspective on this specific and vital aspect of urban design. Indeed, His Royal Highness wondered whether the Secretary of State might wish to say a few words, say 3-4 minutes’ duration, on her perspective immediately before his Royal Highness speaks?

Last year, the Foundation hosted a similar conference at which the Deputy Prime Minister spoke; that conference lead to a positive partnership working between the ODPM and the Foundation, as well as an urban design skills training workshop which is now successfully touring seven of the Regional Development Agencies. The conference this year will be attended by 100 or so senior practitioners in urban design and architecture, including leaders of the RDAs and Government agencies, NGOs, house-builders and developers; I have asked Kathy to send you some further details.

I know The Prince of Wales would be delighted if the Secretary of State were able to attend perhaps the afternoon session of the conference when he is present and I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience once you have had a moment to discuss it with your Minister. I should also indicated that His Royal Highness has also asked me to invite the Minister for Housing and Planning, Keith Hill MP (whom he met recently when he showed the Minister around Poundbury) given his policy responsibilities and I am waiting to hear from his Private Office to see if that is possible.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Kefford

Prince of Wales correspondence with Secretary of State for Culture, 2004 to 2005: Shackleton and Scott’s Huts

Dear Tessa,

Earlier this month, while I was in New Zealand, I sat next to the Prime Minister, Helen Clark, at a dinner in Government House and she raised with me the work the New Zealand Heritage has been doing to conserve the Antarctic huts which Scott and Shackleton built as the base for their great polar expeditions in the early years of the last century. From her description, and from others involved in the project whom I met separately in Australia, these clearly constitute a

unique heritage and I entirely agree with her evidently strongly-held

conviction that all those nations connected to that heroic era of exploration should be involved in seme way in the efforts to contribute to the huts’ preservation.

I realize only too well that this funding issue has been raised at various levels by the New Zealanders and others, and that it poses some difficult questions both for your Department, and for the Heritage Lottery Fund, which I gather is not constituted to help projects overseas. But, on the other hand, I thought there was something called “The Government of the British Antarctic Territory,” which must mean that there is some British Territory to be “governed!” So I am at a loss to understand how this restoration project can be correctly described as “overseas?” Whatever the case, and however futile my plea to you for a bit of imaginative flexibility in the interpretation of these rules, I just wanted to emphasize the iconic importance of these huts in those great Antarctic journeys which will surely resonate strongly in the public imagination — particularly as the centenary of these famous explorers’ endeavours approaches.

I promised Helen Clark I would raise this issue with you — so I have! But if there really is nothing that can be done via your Department and the H.L.F., do you at least know of any organizations, associations or wealthy individuals who might be prevailed upon to assist in the process if there could be some indication of whether a degree of matching funding could be available to act as an incentive?

Yours affectionately,

Charles

Prince of Wales correspondence with Secretary of State for Culture, 2005: Smithfield Market (Tessa Jowell)

Dear Tessa,

Thank you very much indeed for your letter of 28th February and the welcome news of the listing of the Red House cold store at Smithfield Market.

Needless to say, I was extremely glad to read of your appreciation of the value of this group of buildings. As you know, I attach the greatest importance to preserving, restoring and re-using such precious heritage townscapes and I can only pray that the Deputy Prime Minister will take your advice and give the most careful consideration to development plans. I shall follow what ensues with the greatest possible interest, particularly in view of what happened at Bishopsgate Goods Yard…

Your affectionately,

Charles

Prince of Wales correspondence with Secretary of State for Education, 2004 to 2005: Prince of Wales’s Summer Schools (1)

Dear Secretary of State,

The Prince of Wales has asked me to ensure that you received a copy of the recently published feasibility study which examined the future potential development of the Prince of Wales Education Summer Schools, and to which your department kindly contributed funding. I submitted a copy previously, but in addition to the further enclosed copy, I wanted to include a copy of an Executive Summary, prepared for His Royal Highness, which tells the story of the paper and sets out three options for moving the project forward.

You will note that these consist of:

* a proposal to create a new Prince of Wales Educational charity which would be charged with delivering a new teacher training initiative or “institute”

* a proposal to create a new partnership with a UK university, using the Business in the Environment arrangement at Cambridge as a possible model

* a proposal to develop an initiative under the auspices of an existing Education charity such as Teach First

After recent discussion, our preferred route to is to develop the idea of a partnership and to being drawing together criteria for such an arrangement which would maintain the ethos of the current Education Summer Schools whilst broadening and deepening its impact around the country. We would intend to stage a residential event at Dartington Hall, Devon (the venue for the first school three years ago) in June 2005, which would act as a “launch” platform for further activity including the creation of an alumni association, a series of half-day or one-day events and other elements, all of which would fall into the category of Continuing Professional Development. It might be that School-Centred Initial Teacher Training activity could also be developed as part of that initiative.

If the partnership idea were to fail, then we would move to the option of creating a new charity. Clearly, the principle challenges associated with each option are securing appropriate funding and appointing a Director with appropriate support staff, before too long.

I know that The Prince of Wales would be keen to know your views on the enclosed findings, but in the meantime, this comes from His Royal Highness’s warmest good wishes.

Yours sincerely

Charles

Prince of Wales correspondence with Secretary of State for Education, 2004 to 2005: Prince of Wales’s Summer Schools (2)

Dear Secretary of State,

If you can bear to receive a report on this year’s Education Summer School from someone with such old-fashioned views (!), I particularly wanted to express my gratitude to you for your continuing support of this venture which, as you will recall, was held in Buzton at the end of June. Judging by the structured feed-back and reporting by the teachers delegates, they all got a great deal out of the event and, by all accounts, are applying some of the elements learned in their own classrooms

Quite apart from the impact of the third of my Summer Schools, I do hope that you have had the opportunity to read some of the Feasibility Study which my office sent to you recently and which I believe opens the way towards the creation of a teacher training institute. If there were issues which you felt needed greater explanation, or indeed exploration, perhaps you would kindly let me know. I need hardly add that it would be absolutely marvellous if, having contributed to the Study, you felt able to continue supporting the initiative into 2005 and beyond… But perhaps I am now too dangerous to associate with!

In the meantime, I am delighted to be able to enclose a post-course brochure, together with a copy of the Evaluation Report for the 2004 School in Buxton. Both have been compiled by the School’s Steering Group, under its Director, Bernie McCabe, and I believe they make fascinating reading. There is, I think, a very real sense that the Schools have identified a gap in the teaching of English and History and, I might add, have set about bridging it. My Summer Schools are also challenging the fashionable view that teachers should not impart bodies of knowledge, but should instead act as “facilitators” or “coaches”, a notion which I find difficult to understand, I must admit.

I very much hope that you find the reports stimulating and I do once again want to thank you most warmly for your invaluable support.

Yours most sincerely

Charles

Prince of Wales correspondence with Secretary of State for Health, 2004 to 2005: Cherry Knowle hospital site

Dear John,

Thank you so much for your letters of 8th October and 13th January in response to my concerns about progress in redeveloping the site of Cherry Knowle Hospital in Sunderland. I have hesitated to bother you too much on this issue, and on the wider one of the disposal of one hundred N.H.S. hospital sites, but I feel now is the time to return to the fray!

It is now over a year since we visited the site together to look at the work undertaken by my Foundation and other key partners at the “Enquiry by Design” held in November 2003. You were, I think, enthusiastic about the holistic and integrated nature of the plan produced to drive forward an N.H.S.-led regeneration of not just the Cherry Knowle site, but the entire village of Ryhope.

I hope you will forgive my persistence on this issue but, despite your helpful updates, the log-jam to which I referred in my letter of last August shows little sign of alleviation and it saddens me greatly to think that the immense progress and collective enthusiasm gathered twelve months ago is now in danger of being lost.

The continuing hiatus seems to be due in no small part to the protracted negotiations being undertaken as part of the residual estate transfer to the O.D.P.M. I am sure that the issues surrounding the transfer must be incredibly complex and fraught with all kinds legal and financial questions. However, the project seems to have made no real progress in the last year in addressing any of the key outputs contained within the Strategic Frameworld Plan produced by the EbD.

A vital feature of that plan was that it should be capable of delivery by the N.H.S. as custodian of the overall vision. It is this principle that has made the EbD plan such an innovative one and also one which has pointed the way to so many other N.H.S. Trusts during the last twelve months. As I wrote in my previous letter, I can’t help thinking that transferring this task to another Government Department risks the introduction of further complexities and delays and will inevitably undermine the health vision as other priorities take precedence over time.

I would be so grateful for your thoughts about this situation, and particularly whether there is any prospect of the site remaining within the N.H.S. in the hands of the local South of Tyne and Wearside N.H.S. trust? Alternatively, is there any way of ensuring that the transfer of the site to English Partnerships is accompanied by a commitment to go forward with the mixed-use, integrated plan that emerged with such promise from the EbD? I am concerned that an estate transfer might result in the splitting of the hospital site from other development sites in a way that would undermine the overall vision we have worked so hard together to achieve.

Meanwhile, I do appreciate your kind words about my Foundation for the Built Environment and the contribution it has been able to make in this field. When back in November 2001 I shared a platform with the then Secretary of State at a conference co-hosted by N.H.S. Estates and my Foundation, I was pleased to launch what I think has been a very positive collaboration in promoting an integrated approach to design quality in healthcare buildings and the way we treat redundant hospitals. Cherry Knowle was, of course, one of five national pilot projects and I gather that the N.H.S. has encouragingly referred to the work done at the EbD there as a model for best practice. I am confident that valuable lessons will be distilled from the further testing of the model in North Merseyside which will have wider applicability to other brownfield sites. We are, however, faced with a potentially problematic discontinuity as N.H.S. Estates is wound up in a few months time...

Please forgive me, therefore, for repeating my growing anxiety that those responsible for the N.H.S.’s residual estates in future will be able to maintain the links that have been forged with the Foundation and take advantage not only of its enquiry methods, but also its growing network of practitioners with practical experience of making these developments work. I would be so glad of your reassurance that connections will not be lost as personnel and responsibilities change in the coming months? I would also be glad to know about the progress of the masterplanning for the sites which are to be transferred: could there be scope here for a broader partnership with my Foundation?

I think you will know by now - to your cost! - that these are matters about which I care deeply - chiefly because I have witnessed so many failed opportunities to create imaginative, and innovative heritage-led regeneration initiatives which can maximise the asset value of the historic site and result in genuinely mixed-use, mixed-income communities. In order to create truly sustainable communities and avoid the mistakes of the past, I hope you will agree that we need to take a long-term view, think in innovative ways and take heed of mounting evidence from around the world about the true cost, in both financial and human terms, of bad development. I fear that if the estates are transferred now without proper consideration, various chickens will come home to roost in your own department in coming years as the physical and mental well-being of future communities is affected - not least the key N.H.S. workers who may be living in them...

At the risk of being a complete bore about this, I do pray that we could discuss these matters more fully before irrevocable decisions are taken which could sacrifice the long-term value to be gained from the most sympathetic and “integrated” use of the assets. All I can say is that my Foundation for the Built Environment is ready to help in any way it can.

Yours ever,

Charles

Prince of Wales correspondence with Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, 2004: In Kind Direct

Dear Patricia,

I did just want to write and thank you so much for your letter and for finding the time to meet _______ _______ from In Kind Direct. I could not be more pleased that you have had the opportunity to hear from _______ _______ at first-hand, of the valuable work which I.K.D. does and I am particularly grateful that you put _______ _______ in touch with the Chairman of the South East of England Development Agency. I have no doubt that there is much potential for the two to work together in the same way that In Kind Direct is working with two other Regional Development Agencies.

_______ _______ has already told me that _______ _______ has followed up your kind suggestion that _______ _______ talks to the government’s “Corporate Challenge” team and I look forward to hearing how this progresses. It certainly seems to go to the very heart of what I was trying to achieve in establishing In Kind Direct some eight years ago. But if _______ _______ has no success with the Corporate Challenge Team, you may be hearing from me again!

This comes, as ever, with my warmest good wishes and thanks for your time and help with In Kind Direct.

Yours ever

Charles

Prince of Wales correspondence with the Prime Minister, 2004 to 2005: rural and agricultural issues(1)

Dear Prime Minister,

It was a great pleasure to get you both to Birkhall for tea last weekend and to discuss various issues. I thought it might be helpful if, as usual, I put them in writing ...

The main issue that we talked about was agriculture. I mentioned to you the anxieties which are developing, particularly amongst beef farmers and to a lesser degree sheep farmers, of the consequences of the Mid Term Review. There is no doubt that decoupling support from production provides many opportunities, but it is also creating some real fears amongst the livestock sector. As you know, beef farmers were particularly heavily subsidized and the worry is that the removal of specific livestock support may mean that farmers will decide it is simply not rearing animals. If this happened the large areas of the dependent on beef and sheep farming will change beyond all recognition. As with all these things, a balance has to be struck. You know that I have been an advocate of the principles behind the Mid Term Review, but as we agreed right at the start, the method of implementation of the new regime is what will make all the difference. I discussed with you some relatively simple steps which I think could be taken to ameliorate the situation and ensure that help is given to ease the transition to the new world. If I may, I shall list them:

a) Every support must be given to beef farmers so that they can seize the new opportunities and cope with the reduction in support in other words they must be encouraged to co-operate and learn about marketing. The English Farming and Food Partnerships is working hard in this area, but I wondered if it would be possible for the Government to channel funds specifically to help the beef sector through the existing Agricultural Development Scheme? As I Understand it, through this mechanism the Government can grant-assist groups of farmers to start marketing or other initiatives. Inevitably, such help needs to be advertized widely so 6 that the maximum number of farmers are encouraged to benefit from the funding and advice available.

b) Sufficient support needs to be provided to hill farmers who play a particularly crucial role in maintaining the beauty and the communities of the uplands. The dry stone walls, the unique livestock management practices, such as hefting of sheep, and the social fabric of these areas are utterly dependent upon these farmers. If they are to care for the land in the way that the public would wish and improve their own competitiveness and marketing, the Hill Farming Allowance, which currently exists alongside the new Single Farm Payment, must remain. There is a growing sense of anxiety that the Treasury will try to stop it once the S.F.P. is in place and I cannot overemphasize just how important it is that this support remains in place.

c) Essential to livestock farmers is access to a sufficient infrastructure of livestock markets, abattoirs and cutting facilities, particularly if they are to respond as we would want to the growing opportunities for direct selling and collaborative marketing. Indeed, this was one of the recommendations in Don Curry?s original report. I am sure that Regional Development Agencies could do more in this area, and any encouragement which they could be given by central Government would be much appreciated by the livestock sector.

d) So much depends on the consumer demanding British produce and I only wish that more could be done to encourage people to buy British and to understand that it is only with their support that British agriculture and the will survive. I know that European Rules preclude the Government from running a campaign to promote, solely, British produce but, for all that, it would be splendid if the Government could find innovative ways to give the necessary lead.

e) Public procurement of beef is an obvious area in which the Government could make a substantial difference to the beef sector. For instance, I understand that the Ministry of Defence is now sourcing a proportion of beef from British suppliers, but no doubt more could be done.

f) I have-raised with you on a number of occasions the importance of reducing the bureaucratic and administrative burden on farmers, and you have been most reassuring in your replies. Suffice it to say that any pressure which you can bring to bear on D.E.F.R.A. through the Panel for Regulatory Accountability, which you told me you are chairing, would be much appreciated. Vigilance is essential to help officials resist returning to type!

I also mentioned to you the increasing problems affecting the dairy sector. I have been speaking to a number of different people about what could be done to ameliorate the situation and there is no doubt that one major problem appears to be the Office of Fair Trading. As you know, the dairy sector is going through a major rationalization and many existing farmer-owned co-operatives are expanding as farmers increasingly understand that by working together they have more power to deal with processors and retailers. Unfortunately, I am told that the Office of Fair Trading is becoming a serious obstacle to developing dairy co-operatives of the necessary size and in?uence. As I understand it, it sees the United Kingdom as ring-fenced the Channel acting as a barrier to imports, which is, of course, ridiculous. The O.F.T’s view is that it will oppose any company which looks like exceeding twenty-five per cent of the UK. market share. Meanwhile, in Europe, particularly Denmark and Germany where co-operatives are more established, competition law is being interpreted entirely differently and there is one co-operative in Denmark that has a ninety percent market share! This may be somewhat excessive, but unless United Kingdom co-operatives can grow sufficiently the processors and retailers will continue to have the farmers in an arm lock and we will continue to shoot ourselves in the foot! You did kindly say that you would look at this and see if there was anything which could be done to help the O.F.T. to take a wider view.Charles calls hold of Supermarkets on farmers an “arm lock”

Finally, I did raise an entirely different subject to do with the resources available for our Armed Forces. I mentioned to you that during a recent visit to Northern Ireland I was able to see the hugely impressive airborne surveillance capability provided by the Armed Forces in the Province and, increasingly, in support of British Forces in Iraq. In particular, I saw the Army Air Corps’s “Oxbow” equipment, which is a major advance in surveillance technology. The aim of the Ministry of Defence and the Army Air Corps to deploy this equipment globally is, however, being frustrated by the poor performance of the existing aircraft in high. temperatures. Despite this, the procurement of a new aircraft to replace the is subject to delays and uncertainty due to the significant pressure on the Defence Budget. I fear that this is just one more example of where our Armed Forces are being asked to do an extremely challenging job (particularly in Iraq) without the necessary resources.

I do apologize for writing at such length. Meanwhile, I cannot tell you how grateful I am to you for agreeing to give my Business and the Environment Programme’s Tenth Anniversary Lecture next Tuesday, and I am particularly pleased that Mrs. Blair will also be coming to Clarence House for the reception and dinner afterwards, although I do understand that you both have to slip off after my speech which I will now be giving before dinner.

Yours ever

Charles

Prince of Wales correspondence with the Prime Minister, 2004 to 2005: rural and agricultural issues(2)

Dear Prime Minister,

It was very good to see you again the other day and, as usual, I much enjoyed the opportunity to talk about a number of issues. You kindly suggested that it would be helpful if I put them in writing — despite the Freedom of Information Act!

We discussed at some length the agricultural situation. The most pressing and urgent problem is, without doubt, the rising numbers of T.B. cases is affecting 5,000 farms each year, 20,000 head of cattle are being slaughtered and the cost to the taxpayer is £100 million annually. As you know, all the evidence is that T.B. is caused and spread by badgers. You said that you were aware of the recent study in the Republic of Ireland which proved that badger culling is effecting in ridding cattle of T.B. — in Donegal, for instance, by the fifth year of the trial there was a 96 per cent reduction of cattle infection in the badger “removal” areas.Charles highlights Irish success in culling badgers to curb T.B. in cattle. A UK trial was not successful

I know that the Government is planning shortly to announce a ten-year strategic framework for the control of the disease but, as far as I can tell, there is no evidence that this will include a commitment to the dead with the badger problem in the immediate future, although there is a strong rumour that the Government may be intending to reduce the levels of compensation to farmers, something which, I happen to think, would be less fair and would provoke real anger amongst farmers. Apart from the appalling waste of valuable cattle, I explained to you my real fear that unless something is done urgently we could end up with another food scare and I know you remember only too well the consequences of B.S.E. and F.M.D… Certainly, the raw milk cheese-producers, many of whom have established their businesses in an effort to diversity their farms, which is what the Government wants, are deeply fearful of what may happen to them and I know that Sir John Krebs, the outgoing Chairman of the FOod Standards Agency shares their fears. So all I can say is that I do is urge you to look again at introducing a proper cull of badgers where it is necessary. I, for one, cannot understand how the “badger lobby” seem to mind not all about the slaughter of thousands of expensive cattle, and yet object to a managed cull of over-population of badgers — to me, this is intellectually

I also mention to you the sheer weight of the bureaucracy under which farmers are labouring at the moment as the new Single Farm Payment comes into force. It is causing much anxiety and I know how strongly you feel about the need to cut bureaucracy where possible, especially in your role as Chairman of the Panel for Regulatory Accountability. You said that this was something you might look into, so I thought it could be helpful if I just listed the documentation that farmers have received in recent weeks, and this is in addition to new regulations on fallen dead stock and a consultation paper on waste controls:

S.F.P November update — 31 pages

S.F.P Cross compliance handbook — 52 pages

S.F.P. Set Aside handbook — 39 pages

S.F.P. Cross Compliance Guidance for Soil Management — 40 pages

S.F.P. Cross Compliance Guidance for the Management of Habitat and Landscape Features — 48 pages

S.F.P. Consulation paper on agriculture waste regulations — 19 pages

I also told you about the Rural Payments Agency’s recent announcement that it would not be able to send out the first Single Farm Payment cheques until next February at the earliest, largely because of the computer shortcomings. This is painful for all farmers, but particularly tenant farms who normally delay paying their rent until, under the old system, the subsidy cheques arrived. I told you that the National Farmers’ Union had suggested a small interim payment to tide farmers over and I do think that this is something well worth considering to reduce hardship and uncertainty.Charles foresees the catastrophe of the Rural Payments Agency

You have heard me tell you on so many occasions about the importance of the family farmers, particularly those who reside in the upland areas. These are, without doubt, the most beautiful areas of the country which tourists flock to see, and yet they are the most difficult areas to farm and are most disadvantaged in every way for those who live there. That is why I am doing what I can to help them manage under the new regime, not least by trying to persuade companies to second someone who can help galvanize these farmers so that we can break what is, in all too many cases, a cycle of despair and hopelessness. They need all possible help to learn to co-operate, to market more effectively and to make the most in business terms of beautiful areas within which they live.

I also mentioned to you my anxiety about this country’s lack of self-sufficiency in staple foods, such as meat and vegetables. Recent trade figures showed a decline of 12 percent over the decade falling from 86 per cent in 1994 to 74 per cent in 2004 and only 64 per cent for all food. on both environmental and economic grounds this has to be a worrying trend, let alone form the point of view of this country’s food security.

We also discussed at some length the behavior of the retailers and in recent months there have been some particularly shocking examples, some of which would appear to be in contravention of the existing statutory Supermarket Code of Practices. There is no doubt that the dominant position of the retailers is the single biggest issue affecting British farmers and the food chain, and if it is not dealt with all the other good work which has been going on risks becoming virtually useless. I know that Margaret Beckett recently made clear that the Government was less than pleased by what had been happening and indicated that she supported the idea of being mooted amongst some of the leaders of the agriculture community, not least _______ _______ and the National Farmers’ Union, that a voluntary Buyer’s Charter should be created to address the issues of reasonableness and fair play within the food chain. I understand that the proposal would be for an independent arbitrator to be appointed to deal with the individual complains in an entirely private way. I suggested that it might be worth considering _______ for this role. _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ might have the time to do it and I would thing __ would have all the necessary skills for the job…

We spoke also about the enormous problem of climate change and the remarkable leadership role which you are taking in this area with the U.K.’s Presidency this year of the G8 and the European Union, for which I congratulate you. As I mentioned, there is a particular worry that the Government’s recent decision to revise its National Allocation Plan may undermine some of your good work and I know that this is something about which the N.G.O.’s who are so supportive of the work you are doing, are equally concerned. Nevertheless, do rest assured that you have a great deal of support and all I would say is that you may find it worthwhile to explore not just what industry can do to cut emissions, but also the wider community. Energy efficiency could make a huge difference and would engage the public in the whole subject in a way that simply focusing on the industry’s role will not

We also discussed the built environment and, in particular, the uncertainty as to how the approximately one hundred National Health hospitals will be redeveloped for housing under the Government’s plans. As I mentioned, it is so important both in order to secure the maximum economic benefit and to provide places and communities in which people want to live, that this is done with great care and thought. I like to think that my Foundation for the Built Environment is one of the leading sources of expertize in this area and you kindly said that Chief Executive, Mr. Hank Dittmar, might come in to brief your advisors on this important issue.

We briefly mentioned the European Union Directive on Herbal Medicines, which is having such a deleterious effect on complementary medicine sector in this country by effectively outlawing the use of certain herbal extracts. I think we both agreed this was using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. You rightly asked me what could be done about it and I am asking the Chief Executive of my Foundation for Integrated Health to provide a more detailed briefing which I hope to be able to send shortly so that your advisers can look at it. Meanwhile, I have given Martin Hurst a note suggesting someone he could talk to who runs the Herbal Practitioner’s Association.

I apologize for the length of this letter!

Yours ever

Charles

Prince of Wales correspondence with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Office

Dear Paul,

It was so good Hillsborough for two nights last week and I can’t thank you enough for your kind hospitality, not to mention that most illuminating dinner you gave for me. As always, it was a great pleasure to meet so many people for the trouble they take over these exercises.

I much valued our discussion just before I left on Friday morning and am so glad you are going to pursue the idea of encouraging your officials — and perhaps some planning people, road engineers and housebuilders? — to visit Poundbury, as well as Yorkshire Forward. Likewise, as we discussed, it would be splendid if some key people from the Province could attend some of my Foundation for Built Environment’s courses in London, and Michael Mehaffy is the man to contact.

I mentioned the issue of Armagh Gaol and suggested that my Phoenix Trust would be only too happy to help with any advice with regard to its conservation and re-use. And, while on the subject of goals, I suggest that Ruithin Gaol would be a good example of the regeneration and re-use of a redundant historic site for officials to visit.

We discussed the issue of an Action-Learning Pilot Scheme which has remained in abeyance since last year, but which, if implemented, could help perhaps break the mould of housing “ghettoes” in Northern Ireland. You may remember that both Paul Murrain, from my Foundation, and John Thompson are ready to help with this whenever you give the word!

As usual, I repeated myself — yet again — the potential value to be realized from the regeneration and re-use of redundant historic landmark sites, often as catalysts for sympathetic, associated new development along the lines of Caterham Barracks in Surrey. You said that you might consider Ebrington Barracks as a candidate for similar treatment and, if so, you might find it worthwhile to talk to Linden Homes which was the company that did work at Caterham.

Finally, I was delighted to hear that good progress was being made in establishing a Northern Ireland version of Prime Cymru and that Julia Evans, the Chief Executive, was going to come over to talk to your officials. Hopefully, by the time of my next visit to the Province — and if I am still alive by then — I will be able to see heartening signs of progress in all these issues we discussed …

Meanwhile, this bring you countless good wishes and I need hardly say, apologies for pestering you about so many things.

Yours ever

Charles

Prince of Wales correspondence with Secretary of State for Education, 2004 to 2005: Prince of Wales’s Summer Schools (3)

Dear Secretary of State,

I wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your appointment as Secretary of State for Education and Skills. I suspect it may not be the easiest of tasks, so I can only wish you well!

I understand from your predecessor, Charles Clarke, that he has spoken to you about my most recent letter of 24th November, and specifically about the impact of my Education Summer School for teachers of English and History. This Programme, which involves up to ninety state school teachers each year, has been held over the past three years in Dartington, Devon, at Dunston, in Norfolk and at Buxton, in Derbyshire. I believe that they have added fresh inspiration to the national debate about the importance of English Literature and History in schools.

The Sumer Schools to date have been generally judged to be enormously successful with an extraordinary line-up of individuals who did not contribute as educationalists, but as experts in the fields of Literature and History. The teachers who attended in 2004 and previous years felt that they had been offered a new perspective on their subjects, rather than the theory of education.

Despite having made substantial progress, as you may be aware I remain convinced that the currect approaches to teaching and learning need to be challenged, something now acknowledged by some of the professional agencies themselves! The Schools have, in my view, provided ample evidence that teachers themselves are more than willing to look again at what they do and consider whether they are doing the best they can.

Building on the success of these Summer Schools, I am keen to provide the opportunity for a further either, or so, teachers of English and History to come together to engage with the questions from first principles as to why teach English and History. Why are these subjects important? What should we be teaching in these subjects? How should we be teaching these subjects? In addition the 2005 course will include teachers who have previously attended as the first step in building an Education Summer School alumni body, referred to in the feasibility study which I understand you have seen.

I hesitate to write to you when I know how busy you are but I wonder if there is any chance that you could come and speak at this year’s Summer School when it will return at Dartington Hall, Devon. The School is scheduled to run from Tuesday 7th June to Friday 10th June inclusive and you would, of course, be very welcome to participate in all, or some of the sessions.

The Course Director, Bernice McCabe, who heads the hugely successful North London Collegiate School, would be delighted to provide you with further details, but I thought you might like to glance at the post-course brochure from Buxton, which I enclose for your information. I do so hope you will be able to attend as I am convinced that last year’s event offered something very beneficial for all those who participated.

Yours most sincerely,

Charles