§ 62. Mr. Hannahasked 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. HannahIs 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. DuncanIt is not the fault of the Ministry.
§ Mr. SorensenWill 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. DuncanThese objects were destroyed by bombs.