§ 2.43 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether their attention has been drawn to the recent further theft of an historic Nelson relic from the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich; at what time the theft was discovered, and at what time the police were informed; whether assurances given concerning security arrangements in the Museum, following the theft of the Nelson Chelengh in June, have been implemented in all respects, and whether all the requirements of the Trustees have been met in detail.]
349§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER (VISCOUNT SWINTON)My Lords, the exhibit stolen from the National Maritime Museum on Thursday, November 8, was a memorial ring. Memorial rings were given by the Nelson family to pall-bearers and others who attended Nelson's funeral: other rings were reproduced later in larger numbers, for sale. The stolen ring was of the latter type and had belonged to Sir John Franklin, the explorer. Its intrinsic value was £2 or £3 and it was exhibited, with other Franklin relics, in the Museum's Polar Gallery. The theft is not considered to have any connection with that of the Nelson Chelengh last June. Though the absence of the ring was noticed at 4.30 p.m., the relief warder then on duty in the gallery assumed that, as the case was undamaged and bore no obvious signs of having been forced, the ring had been removed by an officer of the Museum. As a result, the police were not informed until 7.20 p.m.
After the loss of the Nelson Chelengh, the Museum's security arrangements were reviewed, and certain measures have been completed. Others are in hand and some further work which has been agreed upon remains to be started. Though it has not yet been possible to meet in full the wishes of the Trustees, an increase in warding staff has now been authorised, and the night patrols will thus be relieved of responsibility for manning the telephone switchboard.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, may I thank the noble Viscount very much for the answer he has given, which I am sure will reassure many people? But is it not a fact that there was a delay of over an hour in informing the police because the warder, or attendant, on duty did not know how to work the switchboard? In view of the extreme importance of the various exhibits in this great national collection, I earnestly hope that every step possible will be taken adequately to strengthen the staff.
§ VISCOUNT SWINTONMy Lords, as regards the delay, I explained in my answer that the warder who was on duty at the time thought the ring had been removed by some proper person. I do not know whether the gentleman had difficulty with the telephone—a difficulty not always confined to warders! I may tell the noble Earl that the duty of telephoning 350 at night has now been removed from the warders and is in the hands of a telephonist. I entirely agree with the noble Earl about the importance of guarding this really unique collection—and it is a marvellous collection. There are a number of measures of which I shall be pleased to tell the noble Earl privily but which, for obvious reasons, I cannot afford to publish to those who might be interested from a different standpoint. But I think the measures are fully satisfactory.