An independent review of the ‘30-year rule’
“It is time to look again at whether historical records can be made available for public inspection much more swiftly than under the current arrangements.”
Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown MP, ‘Liberty’ speech, October 2007
On 25th October 2007 the Prime Minister announced that he had asked Paul Dacre, working with Professor David Cannadine and Sir Joseph Pilling, to chair an independent review of the '30-year rule', under which most government records are transferred to The National Archives and made available to the public by the time they are 30 years old.
The review is now in progress and will report to the Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor by summer 2008.
Public consultation
The 30-year rule review consultation was available for members of the public from early January to mid-April. The consultation is now closed.
Learn about the 30-year rule review
This website contains information about the review, links to documents produced by the review and an online consultation that enables members of the public to contribute their views to the review team. The review’s final report will be published on this site.
- The review's terms of reference
- An explanation of the ‘30-year rule’
- A summary of consultation plans
- The timetable for the review
- A summary of activities to date
Contact the 30-year rule review
If you have any questions or comments about the review, please write to the Secretary using either of the following addresses:
The Secretary
30-year Rule Review
PO Box 824
Richmond
TW9 4XF
Tel: +44 020 8392 5210 / +44 020 8392 5375
secretary@30yearrulereview.org.uk