Written question asked by Keith Simpson (Conservative) on Tuesday, 31 March 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 April 1998. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Monday, 6 April 1998 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will comment on his Department's policy on the disposal of boo ks from his Department's libraries which are regarded as surplus to requirement.

Answer: Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the disposal of books from his Department's libraries which are regarded as surplus to requirement. [37607] Mr. Spellar: In accordance with HM Treasury guidelines, it is the Department's normal practice to sell surplus material including library books so as to achieve a return to the public purse. However the department does have delegated authority to make gifts in certain circumstances and as a rule surplus library books have been disposed of in this way. In most instances surplus library books are given to the British Library where they pass into the public domain. With regard to documents and manuscripts formerly held by MOD which fall within the category of public records under the terms of the Public Record Acts 1958 and 1967, their disposal is the responsibility of the MOD Records organisation in accordance with the routine departmental procedures involving the Inspecting Officer of the Public Record Office. Record material has been and is being transferred to the Public Record Office, Approved Places of Deposit and appropriate Service museums, allowing proper public access under the Public Record Acts.

Secondary information