Written question asked by Ken Livingstone (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 July 1999. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 July 1999 on behalf of the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Lord Chancellors Dept

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if the Government will publish the guidelines given to departmental record officers on judging whether the release of a document is likely to cause substantial distress or endangerment to a person mentioned in that document or to relatives of such a person. - Inc ref to guidance in Library (as DEP 99/1548).

Answer: Mr. Livingstone: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Government will publish the guidelines given to departmental record officers on judging whether the release of a document is likely to cause substantial distress or endangerment to a person mentioned in that document or to relatives of such a person. [89633] Mr. Cohen: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Government will publish the guidelines given to departmental record officers on judging whether the release of a document is likely to cause substantial distress or endangerment to a person mentioned in that document or to relatives of such a person. [89636] Mr. Vaz: After an initial consultation draft in 1994, the Public Record Office produced guidance for departmental record officers in 1995. Copies of that guidance will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The guidance is currently being revised as part of the development of a Manual on Access to Public Records which will be issued in September 1999. It is proposed that this manual should be available to the public.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 89633; 334 c510W;334 c510-1W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Disclosure of information Government departments Privacy Lord Chancellor's Department Public records Departmental records