HC Deb 18 January 1994 vol 235 cc484-5W
Mr. McFall

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce legislation applying to Scotland similar to the 30-year rule regarding the release of Government and Cabinet papers.

Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for introducing legislation to provide for the public release of Scottish Office governmental papers; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Scottish Office papers have for many years been released as a matter of course under arrangements which mirror administratively those which apply statutorily in England and Wales. I have no plans at present to place the system on a statutory footing.