§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Defence why the files relating to the consideration given to an area near Wick as a possible testing area for an atomic device in 1954 have not yet been made available for public inspection; if Her Majesty's Government will now arrange this; and if he will also make arrangements to place a copy in the Library.
§ Mr. ButlerIn accordance with the normal rules, the file from which was extracted the letter used in evidence at the Australian Royal Commission was not due for public release until 1998. However, the very considerable number of unclassified documents and records which has been released to the Commission is in the process of being made available to the Public Records Office, some of them, such as the letter relating to the consideration given to trials at a location near Wick, in advance of their normal release under the Public Records Act. Because of the number of documents involved, it may take a little time before all the records are publicly available, but I am placing a copy of the letter concerning the area near Wick and other related documents in the Library.