§ Lord Dubsasked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will make an announcement on the future of the Historical Manuscripts Commission in the light of the Chipperfield Report. [HL5249]
§ The Minister of State, Departrnent for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Blackstone)I am pleased to announce today the publication of the report into the review of the functions carried out by the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts (HMC) by Sir Geoffrey Chipperfield.
The Government accept the key recommendations of the report and as a result of consultations with the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Public Record Office and the Historical Manuscripts Commission. I am able to announce that the Government intend to establish a new body, the national archives. This will bring together functions relating to public and private records in order to serve the nation's archives in a more efficient and effective way. It will also enhance access by members of the public to this uniquely rich national resource. The new body will report to the Lord Chancellor.
To help facilitate the establishment of this new body, my department has agreed to provide additional investment to enable the HMC to upgrade the National Register of Archives.
I am arranging for copies of the report to be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses.