§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what action her Department has taken to preserve the medieval floor tiles at Byland abbey, North Yorkshire; and if she will make a statement. [15008]
§ Mr. SproatThese medieval tiles are currently the subject of a two-year study under English Heritage's conservation research programme. This includes the completion of a photographic record of all the tiles and a survey of their condition. Environmental conditions are being monitored to give a full picture of the effects of temperature and humidity. English Heritage's report will be published in August 1996, and is expected to recommend improvements to the current maintenance regime to enable the medieval tiles to be preserved on site.