HC Deb 01 July 1914 vol 64 c359
37. Mr. J. HOGGE

asked the hon. Member for St. George's-in-the-East, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if he will give his reason for refusing to accede to the request to add a Scottish Member of Parliament to the Ancient Monuments Board for Scotland?

Mr. W. BENN

The reason is that the Board is expert in character.

Mr. J. HOGGE

Do I understand my hon. Friend to say by imputation that no Scottish Member has sufficient expert knowledge of ancient monuments to justify his appointment to the Board?

Mr. BENN

No, I do not venture to say that. What I say is that there are two Departments—one to advise, the other to exercise control. The one is the Board, the other Parliament.

Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

Does the hon. Gentleman debar Members of Parliament from being on either of the Boards?

Mr. BENN

No; but in their capacity as Members of Parliament they have no place on them.

Mr. J. HOGGE

Will my hon. Friend explain the expert capacity of the hon. Member who represents English opinion on the English Board and is a Member of this House?

Mr. BENN

There is a Member of this House on the English Board, but he is there in his capacity of representative of the Board of Education, which controls certain museums.