HC Deb 22 April 1969 vol 782 cc231-2
6. Mr. Raymond Fletcher

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works which monuments under his control have suffered most damage from vandalism during the past two years.

Mr. Mellish

There were a few incidents, usually minor ones, at a relatively small number of the 722 ancient monuments in my care. The problem has been a more continual worry at one or two places.

Mr. Fletcher

Would my right hon. Friend be more specific and give the possible sociological consequences of his reply? Which monuments have sustained the most damage, what type of damage has been sustained and what is his Department doing to repair it?

Mr. Mellish

The three monuments concerned are Peter Pan—they regularly steal his pipes—Queen Victoria—they are always stealing her sceptre—and Achilles—they keep pinching his fig leaf. My Department, being dynamic, is ready for all eventualities and has stocks of pipes, sceptres and fig leaves.