§ Dr. O'DONOVANasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when his Department last received a report on the state of the antiquities on the island of Cyprus; and whether the report indicates any great need of restorative and protective measures?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIn May of last year I received a "Report on the condition of antiquities in Cyprus" from Sir George Hill, the director of the British Museum. Sir George Hill prepared this report after a visit to the Island at the invitation of the Governor and myself. He was accompanied by Sir Charles Peers, president of the Society of Antiquaries and late chief inspector of ancient monuments under the Office of Works. A separate report entitled "A report on the present position of the ancient and historical monuments of, Cyprus" was prepared separately by Sir Charles Peers for the Cyprus Committee, an unofficial body under the chairmanship of Lord Mersey, formed to interest the public in this country in the antiquities of Cyprus. The reports of both these distinguished experts indicated that there was a considerable field in which, owing to lack of funds, it had been impossible in the past to take adequate measures to1350W preserve and maintain the antiquities of the Island. The concrete recommendations for improvement contained in the reports have in the main been adopted; and, with the assistance of funds collected by the Cyprus Committee, steps are now being taken which should put the matter upon a satisfactory basis. I should like to take this opportunity again to thank Lord Mersey and his colleagues and Sir George Hill and Sir Charles Peers for their generous and valuable work.