Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 11 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 January 2005. It was answered by David Miliband (Labour) on Thursday, 20 January 2005 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Cabinet Office

Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his policy is on the deletion of e-mails; when this last changed; and how.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what his policy is on the deletion of e-mails; when this last changed; and how. [208677] Mr. Miliband: It is Cabinet Office policy that all emails that form part of the official record must be printed and placed on existing paper files. This includes emails that contribute to the full understanding of a decision or results in action being taken. In December 2004 a three month time limit was introduced in relation to the time emails in inboxes, sent items and deleted items would be kept before automatic deletion.

Secondary information