To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the future use of the Chancery lane public record office. [31477]

The Public Record Office is moving to greatly enlarged premises on its Kew site at the end of 1996 and, as a result, it will vacate Chancery lane by this date.This important historic building is part of the Government estate and responsibility for its future rests with Property Holdings. Extensive discussions have been held with English Heritage and the City of London Corporation, the relevant planning authority, about its future use and a number of options are being explored, including retention for other Government purposes. If the building is not needed by Government, a number of private uses are being considered. One of these is a continuation of the legal nature of the building which would include barristers' chambers, other legal users, perhaps with some attendant residential use. It would also be suitable for educational/institutional use.Property Holdings will shortly be opening discussions with potential private sector operators who might implement one of these uses that is acceptable to English Heritage and the planning authority. Interested parties would be welcome to contact the agents, BH