Inquiries - Under legislation
The Inquiries Act 2005 (c.12) provides as follows:
A Minister may cause an inquiry to be held under this Act in relation to a case where it appears to him that -
(a) particular events have caused, or are capable of causing, public concern,
(b) there is public concern that particular events may have occurred.
The papers, of such Inquiries should be dealt with immediately after the Inquiry is completed.
It is not necessary to wait until the papers reach the normal age for review.
The secretary to the Inquiry should inform both the DoH Departmental Information Manager (DIM) and the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) when the Inquiry is thought to be drawing to a close.
Arrangements can then be made for the proper retention and disposal of records.
Retained records will be transferred to PRONI from the Inquiry secretary.