§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Secretary of State for War whether an adequate antiquities service is being maintained by the British-occupied enemy territory administration in Palestine; whether any reports have been received to the effect that certain monuments of archæological interest have been damaged since the British occupation; whether the Turkish Government maintained an antiquities service in Palestine before the War; and whether, if it appears on investigation that the present service is inadequate, he will issue orders to have it increased?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI am informed that reports have been received to the effect that certain monuments were suffering damage, and the fact has been brought to the notice of Professor Garstang, who has offered his services and those of his staff, and has, in addition, volunteered to raise certain funds for the restoration and preservation of such monuments. I understand that no systematised antiquities service was maintained by the Turkish Government, nor was there any methodical and scientific research work; though casual discoveries were frequently investigated by the Director of the Imperial Ottoman Museum. There is no reason to believe that the service which is being instituted is likely to prove inadequate, and the hon. Member may rest assured that the matter is one which will receive the fullest attention.