To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will bring records held by the British Council under the terms of the Public Records Act 1967. [16999]

No. The British Council, as a Body operating under a Charter, independently of government, is not appropriate to be brought under the Public Records Act. However the Council has, since 1977, made arrangements for making available in the Public Record Office those of its records which can be made available after 30 years.