§ Lord Denningasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Answer of the Earl Howe on 26th November and the letter from Mr. Borrett (WA 7), whether attempts have been made for some years to find an alternative use for the Public Record Office building in Chancery Lane; whether these efforts have met with success; and whether the prospect is that, if no purchaser is found, the property may remain vacant and unused indefinitely.
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 5th December 1996.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE—CHANCERY LANE
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Earl Howe, has asked me to respond to your further Question regarding the above.
Following the decision by the Public Record Office to vacate, government departments have been widely canvassed for proposals to re-occupy the Chancery Lane building. It has been established that there is no demand from within government.
74WAAn agency was appointed in 1994 to explore alternative uses and market the property. English Heritage and the planning authorities have been consulted and an agreed development brief has been produced. A variety of alternative uses are accepted by them, including Barristers' Chambers, apartments, aparthotel, hotel, offices, library and ancillary museum use. Proposals have been received. However a decision on them has been deferred pending resolution of a title dispute with the Crown Estate Commissioners.
We are making every effort to conclude both the title dispute and marketing to ensure occupation immediately after the Public Record Office vacates.