§ 44. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his most recent work in monitoring archaeological finds in New Palace Yard.
§ Mr. ChannonI would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to similar Questions from my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock (Mr. Cormack) on 9th February and from the hon. Member on 21st and 28th February. An inspector of ancient monuments and an assistant have been in daily attendance on the site since work began on 1st July 1972.—[Vol. 850, c.213–4; Vol. 851, c. 99–100, 363–5.]
§ 56. Mr. Liptonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment why the great conduit of Plantagenet origin revealed by the excavators in New Palace Yard is being demolished; and to what extent the caution in clearing the upper surface of New Palace Yard, made necessary by the discovery, actual or potential, of historic remains, will add to the cost and delay in completion of the car park.
123W
§ Mr. ChannonThe conduit is not being demolished. Its remains are being dismantled so that earlier structures of a similar nature beneath it may also be examined, recorded and retained pending a decision on their ultimate disposal. I cannot yet say how much these investigations will delay completion of the car park and the cost will be a matter of negotiation with the contractors.