§ Mr. HainTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many years his Department holds files before shredding or other means of disposal.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[holding answer 24 November 1992]: The Home Office reviews and disposes of its records in accordance with the Public Records Act 1958 and 1967. The majority of files are destroyed after five to 10 years and most of the remainder after 30 years.