HC Deb 21 May 1984 vol 60 c307W
28. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Attorney-General what is the policy of the Lord Chancellor towards the return of files to the Public Records Office from which public access has been withdrawn because the return of the file has been requested by the Department because it is required for official p0iurposes, where access to the file has specifically been requested of the public Records Office by a reader; and if he will make a statement.

The Attorney-General

When a reader requests a document which is on temporary return to a Department, the Public Record Office asks the Department to send it back. If the document is still in current use in the Department, it may be possible for the reader to consult the document there. However, facilities are limited in some Departments and it may be necessary for the reader to wait until the Department has finished with the document and returned it to the Public Record Office.