Asked by: Lord Beith (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what targets have been set for the release of his Department's material to the National Archives; what progress has been made in meeting those targets; and how many staff in his Department are engaged in reviewing records for that purpose.
Answered by Claire Perry
The target for the release of the Department’s material to The National Archives is set in connection with the 10-year transition to the 20 Year Rule. This means that in each year up to 2023 we need to transfer at least two years’ worth of the material. As part of the process all material is reviewed to identify those records that hold enduring historical value and should therefore be transferred. The department does not have targets relating to the volume of material to be transferred.
This transition period started in 2013 with material from 1983 and 1984, and to date we have met our statutory responsibility. This progress has resulted in the transfer of 404 records to The National Archives in 2013/14, increased from 272 records in 2012/13. We have the resources in place to continue to achieve compliance with the 20 Year Rule.
There are one and a half full-time equivalent staff engaged in reviewing records to determine, in agreement with The National Archives, what should be transferred to them.