Vol. 440 No. 2
58 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Finance 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 transferred, or is transferring, to the National Archieves the bulk of its records for the years prior to 1964, as required by the National Archieves Act.
Only a small number of files is being withheld — less than 30 per year in most instances — all of which fall within the categories where withholding is envisaged under sections 8 (2) and 8 (4) of that Act. These are either in regular use within the Department or contain information distressing to living persons, information supplied in confidence or information the disclosure of which would be contrary to the public interest.
