§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the date and title of the oldest document or archival unit retained by his Department which has not been passed on to the Public Record Office for release for public inspection. [7208]
§ Ms Angela EagleUnder The Lord Chancellor's Instrument (LCI) number 28 dated 13 July 1995 the Department of Transport renewed its requirement to retain "Maps and plans (MNA series) relating to consents and proposals for work on foreshores and in tidal waters (1840–I990)". The dates were the best estimate before reviewing the collection.
These records are in the process of being reviewed and the oldest record discovered in the collection to date is circa 1771 a survey map of the River Dee, Cheshire. The Public Record Office has the full catalogue of the material and advise that it is inappropriate to apply for another LCI showing (1771–1990) as the work should be completed and transfer effected by March 1998 latest.