Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 June 2011.

Operation Argus

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will place in the Library of the House all papers which are to be made available by the Foreign and Commonwealth office relating to Britain’s role in its colonies; and whether all papers relating to Operation Argus will be declassified and made available for research purposes.

Answer: I refer the noble Lord to the Written Statement by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of 5 May 2011 (Official Report, Commons, col. 24WS) which said these files will be made available through the National Archives (TNA). The majority of official papers relating to the UK's role in its colonies are already held at TNA and available to the public there. Given the size of the holding, which comprises some 8,800 files, we do not think it would be practicable to place copies also in the Library of the House. If these files contain any material relating to Operation Argus, these records will be transferred to TNA in accordance with the Foreign Secretary's Statement.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 9922; 728 c286-7WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Public Records: Colonial Documents
Thursday, 5 May 2011
Written statements
House of Lords
Subjects: Disclosure of information British overseas territories Nuclear weapons Public records Departmental records Foreign and Commonwealth Office Testing
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk