Public Records Act 1958

HC Deb 16 January 1992 vol 201 c629W

Mr. Madden

To ask the Prime Minister what reforms he intends to make to the Public Records Act 1958; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister

The Government have no plans to reform the Public Records Act or to make changes to the provision whereby public records which are selected for permanent preservation are normally made available to the public after 30 years. The only amendment to the Act which is in prospect, when a suitable legislative opportunity arises, is the removal of the statutory requirement for the Master of the Rolls to be chairman of the Advisory Council on Public Records.