§ 25. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Works what progress he has made with the scheme to conserve machinery and industrial buildings of outstanding historical interest.
§ Lord John HopeThe position is still as described in the Answer I gave to the hon. Member on 18th July. The Council for British Archaeology is considering what can be done to speed up work on this survey.
§ Mr. BoydenIs the Minister aware that this has been hanging on now for about two years? Could he not take a little more interest in this matter and get some material so that he can set up a new scheme to help to preserve these monuments?
§ Lord John HopeI do not want to do anything to anticipate the report. All I can say is that those concerned will notice that this Question has been put down by the hon. Member.
§ Sir G. NicholsonIs my right hon. Friend aware that this country has been very backward in making plans to preserve many of the most remarkable relics of early industrial development, such as splendid architectural works in the form of old warehouses, as well as old machines, old steam-engines, and so on, that are now being destroyed fairly quickly? Would it not be a thousand pities if this, the pioneer industrial country, did not preserve its most prominent monuments?
§ Lord John HopeI think there is a lot in that.
§ Mr. BenceIs the Minister aware that there are many others in this country who believe that there are far too many out-dated machines and far too many out-dated directors of machines?