§ 3.12 p.m.
§ LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they are taking to protect Stonehenge against vandalism.]
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, my right honourable friend has asked the principals of some fifty educational establishments to try to stop this senseless vandalism which could do irremediable damage to one of our finest monuments. He is also grateful for the collaboration of the police, who are regularly patrolling the area. In addition, he is considering further security measures.
§ LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for his reply, I should like to ask the Government what action is being taken to trace those who were responsible for desecrating this unique monument by painting slogans on it last month.
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, certain inquiries have been followed up, and certain papers are in front of the Director of Public Prosecutions. I am certain the House will not wish me to comment further on this matter at the moment.
§ LORD MOLSONMy Lords, will the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that this is a really unique monument and that, valuable as educational work in the schools may be, that really is not adequate for dealing with a menace of this kind? The harm that is done by vandalism is really irreparable. I hope that the noble Lord's Department will be prepared to look at the possibility of taking more stringent steps in order to avoid a repetition of this vandalism.
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I am certain that the House is in full sympathy with what the noble Lord, Lord Molson, has said. This is possibly our greatest historical monument, and in my Department we are conscious of the need to preserve and protect it. In my reply I said that my right honourable friend was considering further security measures. I think the House would agree that were I to reveal these measures now they might not prove successful.