asked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether, in view of the large number of ancient and historic buildings now coming on the market for sale or removal, and seeing that there is no compulsion on the owners to report the fact to the authorities with a view to securing their preservation, he will consider the desirability of legislation to that end?

The First Commissioner has at present under consideration proposals for amending the Ancient Monuments Act, and he will give consideration to the hon. Member's suggestion in connection with these proposals.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what the total expenditure has been for the years 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, and 1924 in maintaining and restoring ancient buildings held in trust for the nation; the total sum which has in each ease been expended in the works in progress or completed at the Tower of London; Walmer Castle, Kent; and Farley Castle, Wilts: and what portion of each total has been expended in respect of the pointing of ancient walls of these buildings with modern pointing?

Owing to the number of figures involved, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the hon. Gentleman give me an answer to that part of the question which asks how much money every year is spent on repointing with modern pointing the walls of these ancient edifices?

That really does involve a certain number of figures, but, AS a matter of fact, my hon. Friend will find that a very small proportion of the total was expended in pointing last year. I can give him the figures if he wants them.

Does the hon. Gentleman think we can afford to spend any money at all on this work at the present time?

Following is the reply:

The expenditure is as follows:—