§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage, pursuant to his answer of 19 January column653, concerning the damage to medieval wall paintings at Windsor castle, how wide was the chase; at what stage it became apparent that a medieval painting was involved; what other changes were made to the internal medieval fabric of King John's tower during the re wiring of the castle; what is the nature of the remedial conservation work; what agency has been responsible for carrying out this work; what plans there are to evaluate, expose and conserve the wall paintings; why clearance was given for cutting a long chase in undisturbed medieval masonry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SproatThe chase was around 30 mm wide. It became apparent that a medieval wall painting was involved after the chase had been made; the traces of paint patterns were very faint and barely discernible.
Generally existing chases were used during the rewiring, but one other new chase was made in the second floor room where the paintings were found, one new chase in the ground floor room and some limited chases in the staircase landing areas on each floor. No other changes were made to the internal medieval fabric.
The remedial conservation work consisted of Ronafix bonding and special lime mixes applied in the areas of the chases. The work was carried out by contractors employed by the royal household's property section. Longer-term conservation is being considered by English Heritage which has prepared an interim report and is planning a more detailed investigation. It will make recommendations regarding such things as long-term conservation.
The rewiring project was planned by the former Property Services Agency—PSA—in 1987 and 1988. At that time the PSA and the Department of the Environment, which then had responsibility for the occupied royal palaces, regarded the project as maintenance and replacement and did not consider clearance to be required. Clearance procedures and liaison with English Heritage have improved substantially since the household took over the maintenance of the occupied royal palaces. Further information will be available when English Heritage's investigation has been completed.