§ Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Overseas Development if he will instruct the British representatives on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to propose that, since ancient historic buildings are protected by law in most civilised countries, outstanding examples of the architecture of the 19th and 20th centuries should be scheduled as international monuments.
§ Mr. OramThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation is considering means of encouraging Member States in the preservation of historic monuments, although it makes no proposals for any specific period, but has not yet envisaged direct action of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend. An international register might overlap the expert work already carried out in some countries, like the United Kingdom, where national lists of properties of architectural and historic interest are kept.
However, if my hon. Friend would care to let me have his proposals in greater detail, I should be pleased to consider them further.