§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether their attention has been drawn to the decision of Wiltshire County Council to demolish 10 houses, valued at over £200,000 in order to provide additional car-parking facilities at county hall, Trowbridge, and whether in their opinion this is a proper use of ratepayers' money.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Avon)My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is aware of Wiltshire County Council's proposal to demolish these houses. They were purchased by the county council in the 1970s, at the request of the former owners, when blighted by a proposed access to the long-planned Trowbridge inner relief road. A proposed car-park extension is also involved. My right honourable friend understands that the county council are now considering the future of these properties, in consultation with the local housing authority, West Wiltshire District Coucil. Whether or not the houses should indeed he demolished is entirely a matter for the county council.