HL Deb 11 February 1997 vol 578 c20WA
The Viscount of Oxfuird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made with the quinquennial agency review of the Public Record Office since the announcement of its evaluation of performance report on 23rd July 1996.

The Lord Chancellor (Lord Mackay of Clashfern)

The second stage of the agency review, the prior options review, will begin on 12th February and will be completed by 30th September 1997.

I have appointed a steering group to oversee the prior options review, comprising officials from my department, the Public Record Office and the Office of Public Service, and representatives from my advisory council on public records and from the business community. The review will be led by the Public Record Office in liaison with my department.

It will follow Cabinet Office guidelines and will include an update of the evaluation of the Public Record Office's performance as an executive agency.

Comments and contributions from those with an interest in the Public Record Office and its work would be welcome and should be sent by 5th April 1997 to Elizabeth Honer, Secretary to the Public Record Office Agency Review Steering Group, Public Record Office, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU.