IT is, as is often said, necessary to speculate to accumulate.

This is a principle which underlies the proposal to increase the States grant to the Jersey Heritage Trust by £665,000. It is, moreover, a principle endorsed by Comptroller and Auditor General Chris Swinson, who, in his report on Heritage Trust finances, pointed out that investment in site maintenance is vital if people are to be encouraged to visit trust attractions and, as a consequence, to boost its revenues.

If the proposal to increase the trust’s grant, which will be presented to the States by Education Minister James Reed next month, is accepted, up to £465,000 will be allocated each year to refurbish and update sites such as the Museum and the Maritime Museum. An additional £200,000 will be used to keep sites open which might otherwise have to close either permanently or seasonally.

These are substantial sums, especially in a political and economic climate in which dramatic cuts in other sectors are promised. However, if the money is not spent, assets which are literally beyond price will ultimately be put in serious jeopardy.

It is at this point that other arguments come into play. The idea that it is necessary to invest to secure maximum returns from assets that will deteriorate if they are not looked after is, without doubt, sound. Even sounder is the idea that the States will be failing in their duty if they decline to act as de facto custodians of the Island’s rich history and heritage.

We are currently in a situation in which Hamptonne, our museum of the sort of country life which exercised such an influence on the shape of present-day Jersey, is able to open only for special events. Are we to envisage a future in which it is left to fall into rack and ruin? And what then? Should Mont Orgueil and Elizabeth Castle be allowed to fall into terminal disrepair?

Much has been said and written in recent years about the importance of this Island’s ‘personality’ and the part that it plays in shaping our image globally and in encouraging visitors to find out more about our unique community. If we have any intention of maintaining the integrity of our precious special identity and remaining distinct from other parts of Britain, our heritage must be protected.

If this means spending the money that Deputy Reed is asking for, so be it.