§ 32. Sir H. Lucas-Toothasked the Minister of Public Building and Works whether he will make a statement about the fallen stone at Stonehenge.
§ Mr. SharplesStone 23 fell during a gale in March the soil having been weakened by the exceptional winter weather. Fortunately it suffered no damage.
We have consulted the Ancient Monuments Board for England which has advised that before the stone is re-erected we should take the opportunity to arrange a careful archæological examination of the hole and subsoil and also consider whether it would be desirable to protect any of the other stones. When we have more information on this point we shall consult the Ancient Monuments Board again.
§ Sir H. Lucas-ToothWhen restoring very ancient monuments of this character, at what point in the history of the monument is the restoration aimed?
§ Mr. SharplesThe aim in the restoration of this particular stone will be to re-erect it as it was before. We also have to consider certain other stones which look as though they may fall at some time in the comparatively near future.