As part of my job I usually scan through the Hansard index to Written Answers The recent two set out below may be of interest to UK Family Historians If the List Administrators think they are of interest then I am happy to send any that I see from time to time Stephen Rickitt ***************************** From Wed 16 Nov 2005 CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS 1911 Census Mr. Hancock: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many Freedom of Information Act 2000 applications to see sections of the 1911 decennial census for England and Wales have been (a) received and (b) rejected by the National Archives since 1 January. [28026] Ms Harman: From January 1 2005 to date The National Archives has recorded 143 requests, under the Freedom of Information Act, to see sections of the 1911 decennial census. In accordance with the Act and with Government policy, the National Archives considers each request for access to the 1911 returns on a case by case basis, in consultation with the Office for National Statistics as the transferring department. So far it has not been possible to grant any of these requests because they are covered by S.41 exemption of the Act relating to breach of confidence. ************************************* From Mon 21 Nov 2005 Great War Medal Index Cards Mr. Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to the answers of 7 November 2005, Official Report, columns 165-66W, on the Great War Medal Index Cards, whether other (a) organisations and (b) museums were given the opportunity to bid for ownership of the cards; and how the Western Front Association was informed that the National Archives wished to pass on the cards. [28939] Ms Harman: The Ministry of Defence, together with the National Archives, held discussions with the Imperial War Museum (IWM), the National Army Museum, the Fleet Air Arm Museum, the Women's Library and Lancashire Military Museums concerning the First World War Army Medal Index Cards. The considerable publicity given to this subject last spring provided an opportunity for other organisations to express an interest in acquiring the cards. This publicity prompted the Western Front Association to contact the National Archives.