The National Records of Scotland have today released the papers relating to the Scottish Executive from 2001.
These detail the second full year of what was then called The Scottish Executive and include such nuggets as the resignation by First Minister Henry McLeish and the introduction of proportional representation for local elections.
Personal care for the elderly became free and Scotland bid to host Euro 2008.
All Scottish Government files are opened annually after 15 years following the terms of the Freedom of Information legislation and since 2009 almost 14,000 files have been released.
Tim Ellis, Chief Executive of NRS and Keeper of the Records of Scotland, said “Preserving Scottish Government records and making them available to the public is a key part of our role at the National Records of Scotland, and this annual release of information can give us a fascinating insight into our recent history.
“In addition to a change of First Minister, 2001 saw considerable activity across a wide range of policy areas. I have no doubt that the papers now available will be very interesting reading to a great many people.”
Minister for Parliamentary Business Joe FitzPatrick said: “Traditionally, we have had a lot of interest in the annual release of Scottish Government archives, and this year promises to be no different.
“The archives give the public greater insight into the pressing issues and discourse of the time, and their release further strengthens our position as an open and transparent government.”
National Records of Scotland was formed in 2011 by the merger of the General Register of Scotland with the National Archives of Scotland.
You can find out here about the documents you can ask to see in the National Records Office on West Register Street.
Photo By Rept0n1x (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
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