Records related to allegations of abuse in Defence

In response to the external review of allegations of sexual and other abuse in Defence, the National Archives issued a disposal freeze effective 22 October 2012. The disposal freeze suspends National Archives' permissions for the destruction of records potentially related to allegations, handling and consequences of sexual and other forms of abuse in the Defence Organisation. It will remain in force until otherwise advised by the National Archives. 

Relevant records and any associated drafts and working papers cannot be destroyed using any agency-specific or general records authorities or through normal administrative practice (NAP). The only exception to this is General Records Authority 31 (GRA 31), which should continue to be used to destroy digitised source records, as long as the conditions and exclusions of GRA 31 are abided by.

Details of the agencies and records affected are available in the records retention notice (pdf, 183kB).

Any questions in relation to this disposal freeze should be directed to the National Archives via the Agency Service Centre.