HC Deb 25 February 1958 vol 583 cc178-80
8. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Minister of Works whether his attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction over the methods employed in preserving Hadrian's Wall; and whether he will have the work examined with a view to satisfying himself of the soundness of the technique employed and give an undertaking that the work will be properly supervised.

11. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Minister of Works what advice he has sought from aræologists in connection with the restoration of those sections of Hadrian's Wall for which he is responsible.

12. Mr. F. Noel-Baker

asked the Minister of Works what supervision he provides over the repairing of Hadrian's Wall; how much of the wall has been dismantled at Birdoswald and elsewhere; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Molson

The Ancient Monuments Board for England approves my Ministry's methods of maintaining Hadrian's Wall. The archæological policy of the repairs is directed by my Inspectors of Ancient Monuments, who make periodical visits to the work and have the co-operation of local archæologists who are specialists on Hadrian's Wall. The day-to-day work is supervised by staff with long experience of archæological restoration.

Original Roman work is exposed, retained and consolidated in the state in which it is found. Fallen stones are replaced if it is known what their original position was. Stones on the point of falling are removed from the Wall and re-bedded. Apart from this re-bedding, there has been no dismantling of the Wall at Birdoswald or elsewhere. Roman mortar is kept wherever possible, and on exposed surfaces lime mortar is used where necessary.

Dame Irene Ward

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that very detailed reply, may I ask whether I would be in order in assuming that the article which appeared under the name of Jacquetta Hawkes, I think it was, in one of the Sunday papers a fortnight ago gave an absolutely inaccurate and unfounded criticism of the methods used by my right hon. Friend's Department? I agree that it is of the greatest interest to all that the Wall should be properly and adequately looked after.

Mr. Molson

Yes, my hon. Friend is entirely correct in her assumption. What is being done at Hadrian's Wall is supported by the local archæologists, and I am glad to say I have had letters from Professor Eric Birley, Professor of Romano-British history and archæology in the University of Durham, and Mr. Gillam, who is reader in the same subject in that university, approving of what has been done. It appears to me quite clear that Mrs. Jacquetta Hawkes' article was based on inaccurate information and was written without having visited the Wall herself.

Mr. Robinson

Are there not frequently two views on matters of this kind? Is it not a fact that, in the opinion of many people who are qualified to judge, the methods used by the right hon. Gentleman's Department in this instance do not reach the normally high standards that he employs in preserving ancient monuments? Will he consider having further advice before proceeding further with this work?

Mr. Molson

There are often two opinions on every subject, the correct and the incorrect. What is being done by my archæological department, and is approved by the Board of Ancient Monuments for England and supported by a professor and a reader in archæology in the local university, is the correct line, while the line that takes the contrary view is the incorrect one.

Mr. Noel-Baker

In view of the great interest attaching to this matter, I beg to give notice that, in order to give the Minister a better opportunity to put the facts before the House and some of my hon. Friends an opportunity of expressing their points of view, I will try to raise this matter on the Adjournment.