Railway Archives (Written answers)
Lord Faulkner of Worcester asked Her Majesty's Government:
What role the Department for Constitutional Affairs has in maintaining railway archives in the United Kingdom.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs (Baroness Ashton of Upholland):
The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs has ministerial responsibility for the National Archives, which holds railway records of national significance covered by the Public Records Acts. The National Archives also provides advice on best professional practice to other archive services throughout the country that hold railway records.
What guidance they intend to give to the Keeper of the National Archives to secure the future of the nation's railway industry records.
Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Government do not intend to give the Chief Executive of the National Archives (TNA) guidance on this matter at this time. TNA will continue to select railway records covered by the Public Records Acts for permanent preservation, in accordance with its established acquisition and selection policies. TNA's expert staff are also available to provide advice on the management and long-term care of railway records held by other bodies.
What resources will be made available to safeguard the records of the nation's railway industry.
Baroness Ashton of Upholland:
The National Archives will continue to hold and to make publicly available those railway records covered by the Public Records Act of enduring historical value in accordance with its acquisition and selection policies. It also resources an advisory service which disseminates best practice in relation to records in paper or digital form to public and private bodies alike. The National Railway Museum in York, part of the National Museum for Science and Industry sponsored by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, has a wealth of other collections of national significance relating to the railway industry. It is currently developing plans under the search engine project to improve the preservation of, and public access to, these collections.
© Lords Hansard 4 April 2005
What role the Department for Constitutional Affairs has in maintaining railway archives in the United Kingdom.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs (Baroness Ashton of Upholland):
The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs has ministerial responsibility for the National Archives, which holds railway records of national significance covered by the Public Records Acts. The National Archives also provides advice on best professional practice to other archive services throughout the country that hold railway records.
What guidance they intend to give to the Keeper of the National Archives to secure the future of the nation's railway industry records.
Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Government do not intend to give the Chief Executive of the National Archives (TNA) guidance on this matter at this time. TNA will continue to select railway records covered by the Public Records Acts for permanent preservation, in accordance with its established acquisition and selection policies. TNA's expert staff are also available to provide advice on the management and long-term care of railway records held by other bodies.
What resources will be made available to safeguard the records of the nation's railway industry.
Baroness Ashton of Upholland:
The National Archives will continue to hold and to make publicly available those railway records covered by the Public Records Act of enduring historical value in accordance with its acquisition and selection policies. It also resources an advisory service which disseminates best practice in relation to records in paper or digital form to public and private bodies alike. The National Railway Museum in York, part of the National Museum for Science and Industry sponsored by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, has a wealth of other collections of national significance relating to the railway industry. It is currently developing plans under the search engine project to improve the preservation of, and public access to, these collections.
© Lords Hansard 4 April 2005