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Craig I have consulted the people in The National Archives who deal with the Security Service and the Metropolitan Police. They have suggested that I respond as follows: As far as Special Branch is concerned, the researcher should make a Data Protection access request to the Metropolitan Police Service (details and application forms on their website). However, it is quite likely that Special Branch will claim an exemption from the Data Protection Act on the grounds of national security and decline even to admit to the existence or otherwise of a file. In any case, many files dated earlier than 1955 have been destroyed so that even if one once existed it may no longer do so. For the Security Service, the researcher should first check in series KV 2 (and perhaps others in KV) at the National Archives in case a file has actually been released. The catalogue is available on-line through TNA's website of course. Failing that, he should contact the Departmental Record Officer of the Security Service at PO Box 3255, London SW1P 1AE. The same exemption for post 1954 material is likely to be claimed as by Special Branch. Tim ---------------- Tim Padfield Copyright Officer Curator of Photographs Secretary of the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Council on National Records and Archives The National Archives Kew Richmond Surrey TW9 4DU Tel +44 (0)20 8392 5381 Fax +44 (0)20 8392 5286 E-mail [log in to unmask] Website http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk -----Original Message----- From: Craig Fees [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 12 September 2003 13:22 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Security files I have had a request from someone preparing their autobiography who wishes to know how they can access files they feel were kept on them by MI5 and perhaps Scotland Yard in the late 1950s and early 1960s. My reading of the relevant bit of the MI5 web- site suggests that this isn't possible. I would be grateful to know what advice I can offer them. with many thanks, Craig Dr. Craig Fees Archivist/Director Planned Environment Therapy Trust Archive and Study Centre Church Lane Toddington, near Cheltenham Glos. GL54 5DQ United Kingdom 01242 620125 http://www.pettarchiv.org.uk This e-mail message (and attachments) may contain information that is confidential to The National Archives. If you are not the intended recipient you cannot use, distribute or copy the message or attachments. In such a case, please notify the sender by return e-mail immediately and erase all copies of the message and attachments. Opinions, conclusions and other information in this message and attachments that do not relate to the official business of The National Archives are neither given nor endorsed by it.