HC Deb 02 June 1959 vol 606 cc4-5
5. Mr. E. Fletcher

asked the Minister of Works what further steps, in view of the recent report of the Ancient Monuments Board, he is proposing to take for the prevention of destruction of scheduled monuments.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works (Mr. Harmar Nicholls)

The Ancient Monuments Board has recommended that, as a long-term project, all scheduled ancient monuments should be clearly marked with the object of avoiding unintentional damage such as sometimes occurs, for instance, in the course of agricultural operations. My right hon. Friend has arranged for a small number of the more important monuments to be so marked. When this limited programme is completed, he will consider what more should be done.

Mr. Fletcher

Will the Parliamentary Secretary consider the desirability of expediting the programme as much as possible? If the co-operation of the public is to be secured in protecting these ancient monuments, it is obviously desirable that they should be marked as such.

Mr. Nicholls

My right hon. Friend has a lot of sympathy for the hon. Gentleman's point, but he has to take account of the cost. The cost is about £10 for each monument, and as there are 10,000 of them he must consider the cost involved.