HL Deb 31 January 2002 vol 631 cc57-8WA
Lord Evans of Temple Guiting

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they plan to release more records of the wartime Special Operations Executive. [HL2550]

The Minister for Trade (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)

The records of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) have been released progressively since 1993. The next batch of records, covering the General and Headquarters (including America) files, has been transferred to the Public Record Office, and will be opened on 8 February 2002. The last batch of SOE records (the personal files) should be transferred around the end of 2002.

Lord Evans of Temple Guiting

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What continuing role there will be for the Special Operations Executive (SOE) Adviser on the transfer of the remaining SOE files to the Public Record Office. [HL2551]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The processes involved in the final stages of preparing the SOE personal files for release to the PRO mean that it is no longer practicable for the SOE Adviser to deal satisfactorily with inquiries relating to those files. There being no further series of files for review and release, the SOE Adviser will cease to have a function. From 15 February 2002, therefore, no further inquiries will be accepted by his office, which itself will close on 31 March 2002. With the transfer of the remaining personal files at the end of the year, public inquiries for access should be directed to the PRO.