Vol. 440 No. 2
64 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of documents withheld from the national archives by his Department since the National Archives Act; the reason documents were withheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department has not withheld any documents from the National Archives Office since the Act came into operation. The majority of the Department's files contain information on individuals and, accordingly, are being withheld from public inspection in accordance with section 8 (4) of the Act on the grounds that their release: (a) would be contrary to the public interest, or (b) would — or might — constitute a breach of statutory duty, or a breach of good faith on the grounds that they contain information supplied in confidence, or (c) would — or might — cause distress or danger to living persons on the grounds that they contain information about individuals, or would or might be likely to result in an action for defamation.
My Department is co-operating with the National Archives Office by continuing to store these files because of limited capacity in that office's storage facilities.
