§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the preservation of the digital heritage of the United Kingdom. [45198]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 21 March 2002]: Digital publications are continuing to increase in number and importance. The present system of legal deposit requires printed publications to be deposited in the British Library. In July 1998 the Working Party on the Legal Deposit of Non-print Publications chaired by Sir Anthony Kenny reported to the then Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library. The report makes a convincing case for moving towards legislation for the legal deposit of non-print material. My Department continues to seek a legislative slot in which to bring the matter before the House. In the meantime a voluntary code of practice is in operation.
The national archive of the records of central Government and the courts of law for the United Kingdom is the Public Record Office, for which the Lord Chancellor is responsible. It has already instituted an electronic records programme for selection and preservation of the records of central Government.