HC Deb 01 June 1961 vol 641 cc413-4
33. Sir Richard Pilkington

asked the Minister of Education what recent representations Her Majesty's Government has made to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation regarding the preservation of the Temples and Colossi at Abu Simbel.

Sir D. Eccles

None, Sir. The United kingdom is represented by Professor Emery on the U.A.R. Consultative Committee, which has been considering two alternative plans for the protection of the Abu Simbel Temples; and Sir Mortimer Wheeler is the British member of the International Action Committee of U.N.E.S.C.O. which is due to meet in Paris at the end of June.

Sir Richard Pilkington

Could not the British Government take more positive action in this matter in view of its importance for the future?

Sir D. Eccles

We are assisting diggings, which is I think perhaps the best thing we can do.