§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what special training is given to persons who have responsibility for assessing the historical significance of documents held by his Department. [23291]
§ Mr. SoamesTraining in assessing the significance of departmental records is carried out under the guidance of the Keeper of Public Records. It is provided in a number of different ways, including courses on the appraisal of records and through conferences and seminars arranged by the Public Record Office. Additionally, Ministry of Defence reviewers, who are former senior officials recruited for their breadth of experience of the Department and its business, liaise closely with our historical branches. They work to a comprehensive instructions manual.