asked the Minister for the Public Service when the proposed National Archives Bill will be circulated.

It is hoped, subject to the availability of parliamentary time and the completion of drafting, to have the National Archives Bill circulated before the Summer Recess.

Can the Minister give any indication of how far away from completion the drafting is at the moment? Will he not accept further that the availability of parliamentary time is not, strictly speaking, relevant to the circulation of the Bill?

There is no delay as far as we are concerned.