HL Deb 02 April 1984 vol 450 cc582-3WA
Lord Bethell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether on or before 31st December 1981 the Lord Chancellor gave his consent for the retention in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the entire collection of Russia Committee documents for the year 1951.

The Lord Chancellor (Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone)

These records fall within the terms of the general approval that Lord Gardiner gave as Lord Chancellor in 1967 for the retention of records relating to security and intelligence matters. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have reviewed their decision to retain these particular documents but it has not proved possible to release them.