§ 62. Sir K. WOODasked the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has been called to the intention of a private company to carry out extensive quarrying operations at Hadrian's Wall; and whether it is his intention to take any action in the matter?
§ 63. Captain E. N. BENNETTasked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in view of the fact that the proposed quarries in the vicinity of Housesteads (Borcovicus) would actually lie within the boundaries of the Roman fortifications, between the wall and the lines of the vallum, steps can be taken to preserve intact this section of our greatest monument of Roman Britain?
§ Mr. LANSBURYI can only say at the moment that my Department is giving anxious consideration to this matter.
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELHow did it arise that the First Commissioned or his Department did not at the outset forbid this outrage against a national treasure?
§ Mr. LANSBURYSimply because the First Commissioner is not endowed with the power of a Mussolini.
§ Mr. SAMUELWill the right hon. Gentleman, therefore, administer a rebuke to the local authorities in Northumberland and impress upon them the value of these historic monuments?
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the outburst of spontaneous indignation which has occurred in every part of the country, particularly in Northumberland, against this outrage?
§ Mr. LANSBURYI am well aware of the indignation that has been aroused, and I think the House will be well advised to allow the matter to be investigated and the whole of the facts to be taken into consideration, and meantime to suspend judgment.
§ Captain BENNETTCannot the whole system of these fortifications, walls, intervening spaces, milestones and vallums, be scheduled at once as ancient monuments?
§ Mr. LANSBURYMy hon. and gallant Friend has asked me why something that has already been done is not done.
§ Captain BENNETTHas the vallum been scheduled as an ancient monument, and not only the wall?
§ Mr. LANSBURYThat is one of the matters which is being considered.