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Transfer of Cabinet Office Historic Records

06 July 2020

Proposing MP
Michael Gove Con
Surrey Heath
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Cabinet Office
View on Parliament.uk -->

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The statement discusses the impact of COVID-19 on the transfer of historic government records from the Cabinet Office to The National Archives.

Action Requested

The transfer of records scheduled for July this year will not be possible due to physical access restrictions. The Department is assessing the wider impact and will provide further updates in due course.

Key Facts

  • The Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 introduced a 20-year rule for record transfers, phasing out the previous 30-year rule.
  • Cabinet Office has been transferring records twice a year since 2015 (July and December).
  • Due to COVID-19 restrictions, The National Archives building closed on March 17, 2020.
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