THE closure of the Minster Library is to be raised in Parliament by York MP Hugh Bayley.

The Evening Press yesterday revealed that the centuries-old library was to be closed as part of an attempt to save money at the cash-strapped cathedral.

Now the city's MP has declared he will raise the question of whether the ancient library should be closed as soon as the House of Commons returns from a one-week recess.

He will question the Church Commission representative in Parliament, MP Stuart Bell, over the decision.

Mr Bayley said: "This isn't just an archive of precious old books and manuscripts like the York Gospels.

"It is also a modern working library of national importance." He said the Minster belonged to the Church of England, which as part of the state was answerable to Parliament for its decisions.

He said he had also contacted the Minster over the issue.

"I have written to the Dean to ask questions and I shall raise the threat to the library in Parliament." The Dean, the Very Reverend Raymond Furnell, said: "I can confirm that Mr Bayley has written to me, I will now be passing that letter on to the Chapter as I leave the Minster tomorrow.

"The Chapter will then respond accordingly, but I can see that this issue is just going to keep on going."

Mr Bayley said he had become aware of the closure last week when talking to library staff who were "very concerned" about the decision.

He said: "York is the last Anglican cathedral to maintain a theology library of this scale and the Church Commissioners should take steps to keep its unique collection of books together in one place."

The Dean and Chapter today announced a potential reorganisation of the archive section, the subject of a £1 million development five years ago.

They are also considering plans to generate new income from the conservation studio, which is also part of the library complex, and putting the building to alternative use.

Chapter Steward Peter Lyddon said: "We have looked closely at all the options available in the present circumstances of the current budget deficit, and Chapter has had to take the decision to close the library section.

"But we hope to ensure that the archives section and conservation studio remain available and to develop the use of the building into the future." He said decisions had yet to be made about possible uses for the building, and about savings made due to the closure.

Updated: 12:18 Saturday, May 24, 2003