HC Deb 05 July 1965 vol 715 cc181-2W
Mr. Newens

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many county councils and other local authorities provide a department for the preservation of local historical records in their areas and make provision for the public to have access to these records for the purpose of historical research.

Mr. MacColl

All local authorities preserve and maintain the records of their own administration and jurisdiction. In addition, 44 counties in England, 40 county boroughs, 18 London boroughs and 21 county districts have or share repositories included in the list prepared by the Historical Manuscripts Commission and the British Records Association. At these places record material is or has been systematically accumulated or collected, and regular provision is made for its use by students. Many other local authorities possess small collections of local interest often attached to the public library, but information about the number of authorities involved is not available.