Windsor Castle (Hansard, 29 April 1993)

§ Mr. Brooke

A thorough examination has now been carried out of the area damaged by the fire on 20 November, which extends to nine principal rooms and 103 additional rooms. A large expanse of roof has been destroyed. However, almost all the walls, the structure of the windows, and much of the floors of the principal rooms are still sound. And damage to the interiors varies greatly from room to room. Some have been almost totally destroyed; others have suffered only limited damage to the interior decoration of the walls and ceilings. Virtually all the furniture and paintings were in store at the time of the fire and can be returned to the rooms, some of which were specifically designed to house them.

The reconstruction strategy must clearly take account of the extent of the damage in the various state apartments. In those rooms where significant internal decoration remains, it would not be right to complete the work of the fire by destroying what remains: restoration to the condition before the fire is clearly appropriate. But, where little or nothing of the former interior has survived, there is much more scope for considering modern redesign, for putting a late 20th century stamp in this area of the castle of which we and future generations can be proud.

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It has therefore been agreed by Her Majesty that some rooms—the grand reception room, for example, and the crimson and green drawing rooms—will be restored to their former glory. Modern techniques may be used where they will not impinge on the visual impact of the rooms; and, where practicable, damaged elements will be repaired and significant fragments that have been saved will be reused. Throughout, we will be seeking to combine faithful restoration with value for money.

In other rooms, such as the private chapel where the fire began and the state dining room, there will be the opportunity to start anew and give expression to the best of modern design.

In arriving at this broad approach, the Government and the royal household have had the benefit of consultations with the chairman of the Royal Fine Art Commission, the president of the RIBA, and the chairman of English Heritage in their personal capacities. I am indebted to them for their assistance.

Her Majesty is very conscious of the potential cost to the taxpayer of that work. She has decided to open, to the public, parts of Buckingham palace, housing important items of the royal collection in August and September, starting this summer. The income from charges for entry, together with the proceeds from charges to be raised for entry to the precincts of Windsor castle from next year, will be devoted to the reconstruction of the fire-damaged areas.

Some decisions regarding design have yet to be taken and detailed specifications are still to be drawn up. And any recommendations in the report on fire prevention strategy which will be presented to me by Sir Alan Bailey next month will need to be considered. However, early estimates suggest that the reconstruction of the fire-damaged areas will cost £30 to £40 million over a five-year period. Some 70 per cent. of that cost is expected to be met by proceeds from visitor charges at Buckingham palace and Windsor. The remainder will be found from within the present level of funding provided by grant-in-aid from the Department of National Heritage to the royal household. The contribution from the Exchequer, therefore, is expected to average £2 to £2½ million annually at current prices over the five years.

The royal household will now proceed to prepare a detailed programme of work. Full consultation with relevant bodies will be carried out on the proposals once they have been worked up.

What is proposed represents an approach to the reconstruction of Windsor castle that blends restoration with redesign. The burden on the taxpayer is significantly reduced, due to Her Majesty's proposals to allow greater public access to Buckingham palace and to devote the proceeds from admission charges at Buckingham palace and Windsor to the reconstruction work.

I am in no doubt that this will be widely welcomed, both in this House and beyond. I believe the way now to be clear for that work to proceed with support throughout the nation.