§ Brian CotterTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in what circumstances the 10-year rule applies with regard to the pulping of ministerial papers; how long the rule has been in existence; and who is responsible for determining which material is to be destroyed. [56027]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonI have no knowledge of any 10-year rule concerning the pulping of ministerial papers. Ministers' official papers are public records and, in common with all public records, are reviewed for disposal or preservation in line with the requirements of the Public Records Act 1958 and the 'thirty-year rule'. The Public Record Office has recently published guidance entitled 'Management of Private Office Papers', which is available on the Public Record Office website at http://www.pro.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/standards/privateoffice.htm.