asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress which has been made on the preparation of documents to be deposited in the National Archives; the portion of the relevant material which has now been examined and could now be placed there; the number of staff engaged on this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - National Archives.
53.
The first priority of my Department in this field is to systematically identify and prepare its files and records which are more than 30 years old in anticipation of the coming into force of the relevant provisions of the National Archives Act. Personnel resources equivalent to two full time members of staff have been assigned to this necessary preparatory work, which is now well under way. Progress has also been made in relation to the examination of archival material so prepared, with a view to its eventual deposit in the National Archives in accordance with the terms of the Act.