§ 35. Sir MARTIN CONWAYasked the Secretary of State for War whether any responsible and archæologically-qualified official in Mesopotamia is charged with the duty of protecting ancient monuments, and especially the partly excavated ruins of Babylon; and whether the glazed brick decorations and some other features of the Ishtar Gate and other buildings of Babylon have suffered, and are suffering, damage of a serious character?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Fisher)It was decided last autumn to restrict archæological operations during the winter of 1918–19 to preliminary measures for the preservation of certain specified sites. This work has been entrusted to a trained architect, attached to the Civil Administration for the purpose, acting under the advice of any archæologist sent out by the 1843 British Museum. With regard to the second part of the question, the Secretary of State has no detailed information; but he will make inquiry.
§ 36. Sir M. CONWAYasked the Secretary of State for War whether excavations were made during a long series of years by well-equipped expeditions maintained by the German Government, especially on the sites of Babylon and Samarra; whether a number of antiquities of a movable character recovered during those excavations fell into the hands of the British Expeditionary Force as prize of war; whether these antiquities are under the charge of the War Trophies Committee of the War Office; whether they were ordered to be sent to England to be handed over to the custody of the Trustees of the British Museum; and whether they have yet arrived in England?
§ Mr. FISHERThe Secretary of State is aware that researches were carried out by German archæologists in Mesopotamia before the War. Over ninety cases of antiquities, ready packed for dispatch to Europe, were recovered by the British Forces at Samarra. These cases, together with certain other items recovered in Baghdad, are now at Basra awaiting the results of expert examination. The question of their ultimate disposal has not yet been decided.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERHave the claims of the British Museum been borne in mind?
§ Mr. FISHERYes, Sir.
§ 37. Sir M. CONWAYasked the Secretary of State for War whether numerous casual excavations have been sporadically carried out in Mesopotamia by members of the Expeditionary Force and the objects recovered carried away by individuals, thus depriving historians of invaluable records; and whether he will take steps to put a stop to such activities and to provide that all objects of antiquity, by whomsoever found, shall be retained for national purposes and the place and circumstances of their recovery accurately recorded?
§ Mr. FISHERThe Secretary of State is not aware of the facts alleged in the first part of the question. The late General Maude issued a proclamation in May, 1917, declaring antiquities, objects of historical interest, etc., to be the property of the Administration of the 1844 occupied territories, and prohibiting all unauthorised removal or destruction. Under general routine orders, dated the 6th April, 1918, officers and men of all ranks were specially warned against the defacement or mutilation of ruins and at Baghdad and elsewhere the removal of bricks or other antiquities. The Secretary of State has no reason to believe that these orders have been disregarded.