HL Deb 12 February 1979 vol 398 c1092WA
Lord BETHELL

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have recently changed the policy over the release of certain intelligence-related Departmental documents under the 30-year rule and, if so, precisely what change has been agreed.

The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Lord Peart)

A very small proportion of the Departmental records created in the years immediately following the 1939–45 war and selected for permanent preservation were withheld because they contained references to certain organisations. Where there is no other reason for withholding such documents which are outside the "closed" period for public records, they will be transferred to the Public Record Office for release as soon as the necessary reviewing arrangements can be completed.