asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to make an announcement concerning the construction of the new British Library building at St. Pancras; whether he will take steps to ensure that the work will begin in 1979; and what the cost of the building is likely to be.

The clearance of the site for this building is almost completed. A substantial amount of further work is needed on details of the plans before a decision to go to tender for the first construction contract can be taken. I have indicated that I hope to make a further statement in due course and I shall include in it an up-to-date estimate of the cost of the building.