§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what his policy is regarding returning original documents held by the Public Record Office from the Easter uprising in Dublin in 1916 to(a) the nearest living relative and (b) the National Archives of Ireland. [162317]
§ Mr. LesliePublic records relating to the British administration in Ireland in 1916 and subsequently selected for permanent preservation because of their historical importance form part of the archives of the UK Government, now held by the National Archives at Kew. They are kept there so that present and future generations of researchers can access the nation's collective memory as expressed in the written record.
The National Archives runs a full range of well-publicised copying services which are readily available to individuals and institutions if they wish to obtain copies of specific records. Further details can be obtained from its website at: http://www.pro.gov.uk/ recordcopying/default.htm
In addition, the National Archives is willing to consider special copying arrangements in cases where it can be demonstrated that this would provide easier access to a significant number of people directly affected by the events described in those records.