§ Mr. Harveyasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information as to the safety of the Sacro Convento and of the Basilica of the Portiuncula at Assisi; whether other churches at Assisi have received no serious injury; and whether he will issue any similar information which may be available as to the preservation of religious, historic and artistic monuments in Perugia and Siena.
§ Sir J. GriggNo official reports regarding conditions in Assisi and Perugia have yet been received from the Monuments and Fine Arts Sub-Commission of the Allied Control Commission. Previous to our occupation of Assisi the enemy, who is usually quick to accuse the Allies of "sacrilege," had not reported any bomb damage there. The town was occupied by us without resistance, and there was no fighting in its immediate neighbourhood. There is therefore good reason for hoping that the religious monuments are intact. From unofficial reports it appears that the old town of Perugia has not suffered any serious damage. I will cer- 1009W tainly take further opportunities to issue such information from time to time.