Written Question · S2W-15763 · Session 2
Whether any of its destroyed files have had the protective marking "SECRET", "CONFIDENTIAL" or "RESTRICTED"; whether it will confirm that n…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of its destroyed files have had the protective marking "SECRET", "CONFIDENTIAL" or "RESTRICTED"; whether it will confirm that none of the documents contained within files having this marking will be destroyed or, if not, whether it will, prior to any such documents being destroyed, consult the (a) Parliament and (b) Scottish Information Commissioner.
The answer
Yes, files which have at somepoint carried one of the protective markings listed have been destroyed. The Executivemanages its records in partnership with the National Archives of Scotland, whosestaff work alongside Executive staff to ensure that the proper procedures are followed.Files which reach the end of their scheduled life are reviewed in compliance witha retention schedule as recommended by the Code of Practice on Records Managementpublished under Section 61(6) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act2002. They are recommended for destruction when appraisal staff are satisfied thatthey contain no papers that are likely to be of continuing or historic interest.Protective markings often apply for only a limited period of time and have no bearingon the time for which a file should be retained. Thus the destruction offiles is part of the normal business of managing the Executive’s records, and thereis no requirement for the Executive to consult either Parliament or the ScottishInformation Commissioner as part of the process.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-15763 by reference.