HC Deb 29 November 2000 vol 357 cc626-7W
Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about recent flood damage to the Cabinet War Rooms; and if he will list the items(a) destroyed and (b) damaged by the flooding of the Cabinet War Rooms. [140136]

Mr. Alan Howarth

As a result of particularly heavy overnight rainfall, water was found to be coming into the Cabinet War Rooms when the site was opened on the morning of 30 October. Water to a depth of approximately 2 inches was lying in the main corridor, and other areas were showing signs of water ingress. Prompt action was taken to remove vulnerable items and to protect, with an impermeable covering, areas of risk. Work to dry out the site was begun immediately. The War Rooms were re-opened to the public as normal on 1 November.

No items were destroyed. There has been minimal damage to a few items. This includes: some items from the Map Room; Winston Churchill's blotter; other paper items such as wartime telephone books; and the carpet in Winston Churchill's room. It is expected that none of these will suffer any lasting damage, although specialist conservation work will be required to be undertaken on some of these items.