§ Mr. Bishopasked the Minister of Public Building and Works, in view of the national concern shown for the preservation of historic earthworks and sites of archaeological value following the recent publication of the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments, Newarkon-Trent; the Civil War Siegeworks, what steps he is taking to ensure that adequate precautions exist for the protection of remaining historic sites in Newarkon-Trent and elsewhere; and if he will
268Wmake a statement on his department's policy on these matters.
§ Miss Jennie LeeMy right hon. Friend's policy is to schedule ancient monuments of national importance so that their protection, if need be by the exercise of compulsory powers, can be considered should they be threatened. With the exception of those whose remains are only fragmentary all the surviving earthworks mentioned in the Report of the Royal Commission have been scheduled. One of them, however, the Sconce at South Muskham, is threatened by a proposal to extract gravel and we are now considering this.