HC Deb 25 March 1942 vol 378 c1995
62. Mr. Hannah

asked the Minister of Supply why an Armada gun and an ancient ducking stool were taken as scrap from the museum of the Plymouth Institution?

The Minister of Supply (Sir Andrew Duncan)

I am informed that the museum was bombed last year and was severely damaged. Last month, when the Plymouth Corporation held a salvage drive, the contents of the museum were collected by a contractor employed by the Corporation for the clearance of scrap. I understand that the state of the debris was such that it would not have been practicable to identify particular objects from the museum exhibits.

Mr. Hannah

Is it not a deplorable thing that we have to give up objects of real historic interest, but which are of comparatively small importance as scrap?

Sir A. Duncan

It is not the fault of the Ministry.

Mr. Sorensen

Will the right hon. Gentleman give instructions to all museums to take particular, care that objects of importance are not destroyed in this way?

Sir A. Duncan

These objects were destroyed by bombs.