§ 15. Mr. N. Nicolsonasked the Minister of Works what action he is taking to assist in the preservation of Abbey-dale Works, Sheffield, in view of their importance as an early industrial monument.
§ Mr. H. NichollsMy right hon. Friend has offered Sheffield Corporation, the owners of the Abbeydale Works, a grant towards the cost of urgent repairs. provided the balance is found by the Corporation or from other sources.
§ Mr. NicolsonIs not this welcome decision to save the Abbeydale Works, described by the Ancient Monuments Board as representing technological history of great national importance, a precedent for extending the ancient monuments Acts to cover relics of the early Industrial Revolution in the category of national ancient monuments?
§ Mr. NichollsYes, Sir. It may well be a precedent, but at this stage I do not think that we want it taken as a precedent. The general policy relating to this has not been settled as yet, but in the meantime we are making interim decisions on matters such as this where we think they are warranted.