Written question asked by Audrey Wise (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 July 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 24 July 1998. It was answered by Lord Boateng (Labour) on Friday, 24 July 1998 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will open to public scrutiny the following documents held in the Public Records Office (a) 1406, 1948 to 1957, Emigration of 100 children to Fairbridge Farm School, Piryarra, Western Australia: reports on inspection of premises, 894024/28, (b) 1557, 1947, Information about Fairbridge Farm School, Western Australia, given to Home Office by a former worker, 903435/18 and (c) 1592, 1947 to 1949, Emigration of British children to Northcote Farm School in Australia: details of organisation of school, 904404/2.

Answer: Audrey Wise: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will open to public scrutiny the documents (a) 1406, 1948 to 1957, Emigration of 100 children to Fairbridge Farm School, Piryarra, Western Australia: reports on inspection of premises, 894024/28, (b) 1557, 1947, Information about Fairbridge Farm School, Western Australia, given to Home Office by a former worker, 903435/18 and (c) 1592, 1947 to 1949, Emigration of British children to Northcote Farm School in Australia: details of organisation of school, 904404/2 held in the Public Record Office. [52272] Mr. Boateng: The three files referred to are all subject to closure for 75 years because they contain personal and confidential references to individual children. This is consistent with Government policy concerning all public records. In the light of this policy, and in the context of the Health Select Committee's concerns, we are considering again whether these three files and some others can be opened. Hon. Members, bona fide researchers, representatives of the Child Migrants Trust, or the sending agencies for child migration, including Fairbridge, or individual former child migrants, may see these files subject to a condition preserving the confidentiality of the personal information in them. Arrangements can be made with Departmental officials.

Secondary information