§ Lord Denningasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have considered the future of the Rolls Chapel, being part of the Public Record Office in Chancery Lane; and whether it is to be demolished, preserved or sold.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe):Responsibility for the use of the Public Record Office building in Chancery Lane has been delegated under the terms of its framework document to the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate under its Chief Executive, Mr. Neil Borrett. The agency is therefore responding to the question.
Letter to Lord Denning from the Chief Executive of the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate, Mr. Neil Borrett, dated 22nd November 1996.
THE ROLLS CHAPEL-PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Earl Howe, has asked me to respond to your Question regarding the above.
The Rolls Chapel is an integral part of the Public Record Office in Chancery Lane and will not be disposed of separately. The entire building is listed Grade II* and demolition of the chapel would be wholly inappropriate.
There are no plans to demolish either the Rolls Chapel or the Public Record Office. The current intention is to find an appropriate alternative use and dispose of the building, placing the onus of preservation upon the purchaser.