HC Deb 20 January 2003 vol 398 c199W
Andrew Mackinlay

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department for what reason the replies to HRH Prince Philip from Prime Minister Harold Wilson were not released by the Public Records Office under the 30-year rule at the same time as HRH Prince Philip's letters to Harold Wilson were made public. [89806]

Ms Rosie Winterton

Harold Wilson's letter to HRH Prince Philip dated 15 July 1967 discusses details of an audience with HRH Queen Elizabeth II, unlike the letter of 11 July 1967 from Prince Philip to which Mr. Wilson was responding. In accordance with recently approved guidelines on the release of records relating to the Sovereign and the Royal Household's records relating to Ministerial audiences with the Sovereign should be closed for 40 years or until the death of the Sovereign whichever is later.