Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 26 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 December 2004. It was answered by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Thursday, 9 December 2004 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many files held by the Department have been destroyed in each year since 1997. - Inc table.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many files held by the Department have been destroyed in each year since 1997. [200695] Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many departmental files have been destroyed in each of the past five years. [203338] Mr. Caplin: The initial review of most files is delegated to the originating branch and there is no requirement for central reporting of statistics on destruction. Statistics are available for the volume of files centrally reviewed by the departmental records officer's staff and designated for destruction. Figures for each of the last five years are available and are given in linear metres of records: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Reviewed For destruction 1999-2000 2,080 1,769 2000-01 2,233 1,407 2001-02 1,787 1,090 2002-03 3,707 3,040 2003-04 3,649 3,211 _________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 200695; 428 c689W
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Freedom of information Documents Government departments Public records Ministry of Defence Waste disposal Departmental records
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk