§ 113. Mr. HOGGEasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has now found out who was responsible for the suggestion to pulp 500 copies of a valuable Scottish historical record at 1s. a volume?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe surplus stock in question, consisting of unbound odd volumes of a series, was listed by the Scottish Record authorities in response to a Stationery Office circular, for consideration as to whether the bulk of the stock after allowing for a sufficent reserve should be preserved or dealt with as waste paper. The consideration which the matter received from the Select Committee on Publications has resulted in a recommendation that all these papers shall be preserved with a view to their ultimate distribution under a scheme approved by the Scottish Office. The Scottish Record 389 authorities had no opportunity of appearing before the Select Committee, and I am afraid that some misunderstanding has arisen. My hon. Friend will realise that the whole proceedings in the matter warrant no reflection on the Scottish officials concerned.
§ Mr. TENNANTIt is impossible to say.
§ Mr. HOGGEWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries in order to save any further destruction of Scottish historical documents?
§ Mr. TENNANTI do not know of any others.