§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps his Department took to prevent the destruction of the partially excavated remains of a domestic settlement associated with the thirteenth century Mary Magdalen chapel at Warkworth, Northumberland; why they were unsuccessful; what was the condition of the remains before they were destroyed; and what importance he attaches to this site.
§ Mr. ShoreOn Wednesday 13th July the site was visited by an Inspector of Ancient Monuments, who recommended that the part owned by the John Sample Trust should be scheduled by emergency action under the Ancient Monuments Act 1913; and an Emergency Scheduling 103W Notice was prepared for issue on Monday 18th July. Before this could be done, and despite public assurances to the contrary, this part of the site was bulldozed on Friday 15th July. There were at least three courses above ground of good, dressed masonry before destruction. The larger part of this site, which is a monument of national importance, has not been damaged. It is in other ownership and is not threatened. The Ancient Monuments Board is being asked to recommend its scheduling.