§ 75. Major Markhamasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he can now give particulars of damage done to national museums and art galleries, including collections, by enemy action.
§ Mr. AsshetonI am not in a position at present to give detailed particulars, nor do I think that it would be desirable to do so. Broadly, the position is that, while there has been substantial damage to buildings, the effect of the damage on the collections has been minimised by the special steps taken at the beginning of the war to remove large parts of the collections, including the objects of greatest value, to places of safety.
§ Major MarkhamWhy does my right hon. Friend think it undesirable to publish the details of damage done to national monuments and collections?
§ Mr. AsshetonI am advised by the Ministry of Home Security that they think it preferable that this information should not be made public.
§ Major MarkhamWill my right hon. Friend do his best to make them revise that advice?