§ 72. Mr. MUNROasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that both Cromarty Hill, South Sutor, and Nigg Hill, North Sutor, on which operations are being conducted under the auspices of the Admiralty, are of great interest to antiquarians; whether he will give instructions that any objects of antiquarian interest which may be found in the course of the projected operations will be carefully preserved; whether he is aware that in Inverness there are skilled archaeologists and a society termed the Inverness Scientific Society and Field Club; and whether he can arrange for notifying the club of any discovery of the kind indicated, with a view to the preservation intact of any antiquarian objects of interest which may be found?
§ Mr. G. LAMBERT (Civil Lord of the Admiralty)I was not aware that the sites acquired by the Admiralty at Cromarty were of great interest to antiquarians. Should any discoveries be made action shall be taken to preserve records. I will consider the question of notifying the society referred to should occasion [...]arise.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEWill the right hon. Gentleman say since when and why these operations have been taken away from the Army and are being carried out by the Admiralty?
§ Mr. LAMBERTThat does not arise out of the question, but the point was raised on the Navy Estimates and a satisfactory answer given.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINECannot the right hon. Gentleman answer the plain question of fact—why the matter is being carried out by the Admiralty now?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLWhen the Vote concerned comes up for discussion I shall probably have to make a statement on the subject.