HC Deb 17 April 1969 vol 781 cc1313-5
18. Mr. Marquand

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will advise the appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate the report of documents manuscripts and archives.

The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Miss Jennie Lee)

On 13th March I announced that a Working Party had been set up to study this important matter—[Vol. 779, c. 322–3]—and the Government think it better to await its findings and, in the light of those, decide what further action is most appropriate.

Mr. Marquand

While thanking my right hon. Friend for her reference to the work of the Working Party, may I ask if she is aware that there is a good deal of anxiety among contemporary historians in that their views and interests have not so far been taken into account by those concerned with this matter? Would she give an assurance that the Working Party will consult the representatives of contemporary historians and that there will be a publication to make it clear what conclusions the Working Party has arrived at?

Mr. Speaker

Order. Questions must be reasonably brief.

Miss Lee

The answer to my hon. Friend's supplementary question is, "Most certainly". When the report is completed, it will be published. This is a rather complicated matter, but my hon. Friend may rest assured that every effort will be made to see that all interested parties are consulted.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

Could I ask the right hon. Lady to accelerate the work of this Working Party as much as possible? There was a report before Christmas, but nothing has been done. Documents are leaving the country all the time without even the requirement that a photostat should be taken. This is unsatisfactory. We must have a policy urgently on this matter.

Miss Lee

I agree with the hon. Member about the importance and urgency of the matter. We must also have a solution which is practical and which can be legally enforced.

Mr. Channon

Would not the Minister agree that we have already had the recommendations of the review committee on the export of works of art? Even if those do not go far enough, would not she take some action, because while the Working Party is sitting valuable manuscripts are being lost?

Miss Lee

The difficulty is that the definitions involved in their report are too complex and insufficiently precise for administrative practicability and legal enforcement.