§ Mr. Newensasked the Attorney-General why public records which relate to the Burgess-Maclean case have not yet been made available for public inspection under the 30-year rule; and if any decision had yet been made on the period of time for which they should remain closed.
The Solicitor-GeneralThe records have been retained by the Department which hold them in accordance with the general approval given by the then Lord Chancellor in 1967, under the proviso to section 3(4) of the Public Records Act 1958, whereby Departments may retain sensitive records related to security and intelligence matters. No decision has yet been taken on the period of closure.