HC Deb 10 July 1962 vol 662 cc1134-5
22. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Works when he expects to receive the report of the Council of British Archàology on its pilot survey of early industrial monuments.

Lord John Hope

The Council for British Archàology is not yet able to forecast the date when the pilot survey will be complete.

Mr. Boyden

Is it not the fact that this voluntary society has inadequate funds and resources to carry out this work? Should not the Minister provide more facilities and resources to enable the Council to proceed? This matter has been going on far too long.

Lord John Hope

I am not sure that it is a question of lack of funds, but I have asked the Council to have a talk with me to see whether we can get a move on.

Sir G. Nicholson

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there is a great need to preserve early machinery and that there is a large number of very early steam engines and similar machines of great interest and character historically which should come within the survey?

Lord John Hope

Machinery is a rather different matter. As to early industrial monuments, I have powers under existing legislation to save anything that urgently needs saving without awaiting the report of the Council.

Mr. More

Will my right hon. Friend assure the House that the question of the saving of industrial monuments is not being held up while the report is being prepared and pending also the outcome of a further investigation which is now being carried out in Staffordshire?

Lord John Hope

I certainly give that assurance. Whenever anything arises as an emergency, if it has to be saved, it can be, and will be, saved.