Who selects records for preservation?
The National Archives has a leadership role in the selection of public records for preservation. It formulates policy in conjunction with government departments and provides guidance on selection decisions. Selection work is undertaken by staff in departments and agencies across government. The National Archives has a team of staff who supervise selection and records management work. When public records are offered to other institutions, those institutions will be involved in determining the selection criteria for the records, subject to existing published guidance. If a place of deposit wishes to destroy or transfer elsewhere some of its deposited public records, it must first consult The National Archives as this requires the approval of the Lord Chancellor. If an institution receiving presented public records decides to destroy or transfer elsewhere some of the records it has been offered, The National Archives should be consulted to ensure that no other organisation would wish to t
