§ 11. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of works if he will publish the list of early industrial monuments which the outside experts, referred to in the 1959 Ancient Monuments Board's Report, recommended as worthy of preservation.
§ Lord John HopeAs stated by the Ancient Monuments Board the list is a 10 growing one; it is not yet comprehensive nor are all the monuments on it necessarily recommended as worthy of preservation. To publish it now might, therefore, be misleading.
§ Mr. BoydenMay I ask what steps the Ministry of Works is taking to see that this kind of preservation is urdertaken systematically? When is the Department really going to get down to it? Does the Minister think that two windmills in a year is a satisfactory rate of preservation of early industrial monuments?
§ Lord John HopeAs the hon. Gentleman knows—we have had this matter in Question and Answer between us before—there is a Committee sitting, and I think that he has agreed that when we get its report that will be a tremendous step forward. Meanwhile, I am prepared to consider using my existing powers to protect any outstanding examples of industrial monuments which may be in special danger.
§ 12. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Works if he will recruit sufficient qualified staff to evaluate the list of early industrial monuments recommended to him for preservation.
§ Lord John HopeUntil I know the results of the survey of early industrial monuments by the Council for British Archaeology, I cannot assess the scale and nature of the problem. Meanwhile, it would be premature for me to consider the recruitment of special staff.
§ Mr. BoydenBut is not it necessary to recruit at least one or two people with special knowledge in this matter if only to advise what should be done when the plan is adopted?
§ Lord John HopeIn this case I think it is better to wait.