§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many MI5 files have been destroyed in each year from 1997 to date; and if all those destroyed were classified as red. [49283]
§ Mr. Blunkett[holding answer 15 April 2002]: Information is not held by year in the way requested, and could only be retrieved at disproportionate cost. Approximately, 85,000 files have been destroyed since 1997.
All files destroyed were classified red.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria have been applied to decide which MI5 files should be subject to destruction; and what is the minimum period a file is no longer classified as(a) green and (b) amber before destruction is authorised. [49284]
§ Mr. Blunkett[holding answer 15 April 2002]: A copy of the criteria for file retention is in the Library. These are consistent with the Public Records Act 1958 and are approved by myself the Home Secretary and Lord Chancellor. Criteria for retention and release of historically significant records are agreed with the Public Record Office and endorsed by the Advisory Council.
There is no minimum period.
1157W
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many files held by MI5 have been destroyed subsequent to an application being made by the subject of a file for access under the Data Protection Act 1998. [49285]
§ Mr. Blunkett[holding answer 15 April 2002]: None.