asked the Minister of Public Building and Works ',why he is proposing to demolish the houses built into the west front of Bury St. Edmunds Abbey; and on whose advice he judges the merits of these houses.

To show the abbey to the best advantage. On expert advice.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is very strong feeling in Bury St. Edmunds about this proposal? Does he realise that those who live in these houses do not accept the Ministry's description of them as being ugly and lacking in facilities? So long as there is a housing shortage, will not he realise that it is better to leave people where they are in their homes and not knock their houses down in order to show off the ruins around them?

The aesthetics are a matter of opinion. The buildings are owned by the borough council. We have asked that the council should mitigate any hardship in taking the buildings down. But no representations have been made to us that there is an outcry.

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to specify the expert advice, because in my view experts give opinions both ways?

The Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments in my Ministry is very well esteemed internationally. It is the Inspectorate's opinion which we have sought in this matter.