HC Deb 26 January 1994 vol 236 cc262-3W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 20 January,Official Report, column 723, when the present policy of destroying records of material carried by diplomatic bag within one year was introduced.

Mr. Goodlad

The practice of destroying bag schedules after a period of not less than six months has been part of standing instructions for over 30 years. Records of the precise date on which the policy was introduced are no longer available.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 20 January, Official Report, column 723, what are the reasons for the Government's present policy of destroying records of material carried by diplomatic bag within one year.

Mr. Goodlad

Foreign and Commonwealth Office bag schedules record the delivery of material between originator and addressee, and are considered to have served their purpose once the contents of bags have been recorded as safely received. The bag schedules are treated in the same manner as other documents considered ephemeral, which are destroyed after a minimum period of six months.