§ Mr. Warrenasked the Prime Minister if she considers each application for an extension of the 30-year list in the disclosure of official papers; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterUnder section 5(1) of the Public Records Act 1958, as amended, applications for extended closure of records are considered by the Lord Chancellor. The criteria for longer periods than that of 30 years are set out in Cmnd. 8531 and are as follows: 629W
- i) exceptionally sensitive papers, the disclosure of which would be contrary to the public interest whether on security or other grounds (including the need to safeguard the Revenue);
- ii) documents containing information supplied in confidence the disclosure of which would or might constitute a breach of good faith;
- iii) documents containing information about individuals the disclosure of which would cause distress to or endanger living persons or their immediate descendants.