§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to review for possible release records relating to the Royal Family and Royal Household which are currently closed in the Public Record Office; and if he will make a statement. [53367]
§ Mr. HoonThe 1993 White PaperOpen Government (Cm 2290) stated that records relating to the Royal Family would be treated in the same way as all other records and closed for longer than 30 years only if they fell into one or more of the three criteria governing closure (para. 9.22). It also stated (para 9.28) that all Departments would, as resources could be made available, review all material currently withheld for longer than 30 years to see whether its sensitivity had passed and, if possible, release it. The review process is the responsibility of the Department where the records originated. This process is continuing.