To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take enforcement action in respect of the statue of the Three Graces previously at Woburn abbey.

My right hon Friend has considered the question of the Three Graces very carefully following a request from the Office of Arts and Libraries for a view as to whether the statue was included in the listing of Woburn abbey.On the basis of the information before my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, and in the light of legal advice, it appears that the Three Graces should be considered as part of the listed buildings, as both the Temple—which is listed—in which the statue was originally situated, and the plinth on which the statue stood, 'had been specifically designed to house this statue for the purpose of permanent display. However, there is some evidence to show that the statue had previously been moved from its original position at least once, quite apart from being moved for the purposes of exhibition.My right hon. Friend notes that the local planning authority has decided against taking listed building enforcement action. He has therefore considered whether he should use his own discretion to take such action. On the evidence at present before him, he has decided not to do so.He is not satisfied that it is in general an appropriate use of listed building legislation to control what would widely be thought to be chattels. Nor is he satisfied in the present case that it would be appropriate to require the return of the statue to a sculpture gallery, of which the Temple is a part, which has effectively changed the character.My right hon. Friend considers that the whole issue of controls over movable fixtures in listed buildings needs examination. He proposes to consult about what guidance should be given on this issue and whether there is a case for amending legislation. In this connection he welcomes the fact that the chairman of English Heritage has convened a meeting of expert and interested bodies to discuss the matter in the new year.