§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEasked the hon. Member for Southampton, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the Government will arrange for the Office of Works, acting through the inspector of ancient monuments or a special advisory board created for the purpose, to offer suggestions, where necessary, to local authorities and private owners for the better care of ancient monuments and buildings reported upon by the Royal Commission?
§ Mr. NOEL BUXTONasked whether the Government contemplates acting on the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Ancient Monuments, Interim Report, that imperilled monuments should at once be dealt with by a Government department acting with the assistance of a permanent advisory board?
The TREASURER of the HOUSEHOLD (Mr. Dudley Ward)The Government has not lost sight of this recommendation of the Royal Commission. The First Commissioner fears, however, that the time has not yet arrived for making any further statement upon the subject.
§ Mr. NOEL BUXTONasked whether the Government will consider the extension of the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on Ancient Monuments, so as to include the question of preserving ancient monuments by any methods, legislative or other, which may be thought desirable by the Commission?
Mr. DUDLEY WARDThe First Commissioner hardly thinks that it would be desirable to alter the reference at present.
§ Mr. NOEL BUXTONasked whether he will lay the Reports of the Inspector of Ancient Monuments for the past two years?
Mr. DUDLEY WARDThe first Annual Report of the Inspector of Ancient Monuments will be ready at the end of his first year of office, at the conclusion of the current month. The First Commissioner of Works will then cause the Report to be presented.