§ 3.20 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT NORWICHMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps have been taken, if any, towards the miniaturisation of the records in Somerset House to bring them into line with modern techniques, and in particular that of the microfiche system as described in The Times of April 29.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY (LORD ABERDARE)My Lords, the process of microfilming the records of births, marriages and deaths in the custody of the Registrar General is already well in hand. The most up to date records are being produced as they become available; work has also recently started on the older documents, and is expected to be complete by 1975. For technical reasons the particular process used differs from that to which the noble Lord has drawn attention. A full description of the work has recently been published.
§ VISCOUNT NORWICHMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, would he not agree that at least when this process is taking place there will no longer be need for all the space in Somerset House which we have recently heard is essential for the continuance of the work for which Somerset House is at present used?
§ LORD ABERDAREMy Lords, I would not like to comment on the admirable answers given by my noble friend already.