§ 40. Viscount SANDONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether any answer has been returned to the communication sent by the Shropshire Archæological Society in February relative to the state of various abbeys in that county; and whether the Department purpose taking immediate steps to protect such ancient monuments, such as Lilleshall and Haughmond Abbeys, which are of historic interest, and are rapidly approaching a state which will place them beyond repair?
§ Captain HACKING (for the FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS)A communication was received from the society in February in regard to Lilleshall Abbey, and the Department has been in communication with the owner on the subject. The monuments in question are protected to the extent of being scheduled, and, perhaps, the most important, Buildwas Abbey, has recently been taken into the Department's custody.
§ Viscount SANDONWould it not have been more courteous if the Department had sent a reply of some kind during the course of the past two months?
§ Captain HACKINGPerhaps my Noble Friend will allow me to communicate with him on that point. I know there has been delay, and I regret it.