§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the files compiled by his Department on the activities of Plaid Cymru between 1958 and 1973 which are filed as restricted in the Public Record Office, file reference BD-25/59; and if he will lift this restriction. [132789]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe file to which the right hon. Member refers is one of a series of files containing general papers on various organisations, including the Welsh Language Committee, the Welsh League of Youth, the Welsh Advisory Committee of the British Council and the Council of Social Services for Wales in Monmouthshire and Plaid Cymru. I am advised that it contains a collection of press cuttings, correspondence with and about Plaid Cymru, and briefings for Ministers in connection with a meeting with the President of Plaid Cymru.
The file does not have a security marking and contrary to press speculation last weekend is not "Top Secret" and is most definitely not concerned with "political surveillance".
In common with other retained files the file is stored at the Public Record Office at Kew and will be released on 1 January 2004. If, however, the hon. Member felt the file should be made available sooner, I would be pleased to consider this with the appropriate authorities.