HL Deb 23 November 2000 vol 619 cc90-1WA
Lord Thomas of Swynnerton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether Home Office files on immigration and nationality are routinely destroyed; and, if so, on what authority. [HL4636]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

The files are subject to the provisions of the Public Records Act 1958. The department accordingly works with the Public Record Office to identify and preserve material of historical importance; the remainder is disposed of when it ceases to have any operational relevance. Of the 4 million files currently held by the department, approximately 97 per cent have been created in the last 20 years.