National Archives

The National Archives building at Kew.

The National Archives is a UK Government Department snd an executive agency of the Secretary of State for Justice. It is "the UK government's official archive, containing 1,000 years of history". It was created in 2003 by combining the Public Record Office and the Historical Manuscripts Commission; in 2006 it absorbed the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI), including Her Majesty's Stationery Office (HMSO).

LGBT History

The National Archives contain a large amount of information about LGBT matters.

Homosexuality in the Civil Service

Domestic

CAB 129/80 Statement on the Findings of the Conference of Privy Councillors (1956) First mention of homosexuals in the civil service as a 'character defect'.

BA 19/254 Effect of the Sexual Offences Bill 1966 on security policy.

BA 19/446 Guidance to departments about the employment of homosexuals in the public service (1972-1973)

(click link for document extracts and further information)

Correspondence from the Campaign for Homosexual Equality (CHE) to various civil service departments. Discussion amongst department Establishment Officers. Personnel security circulars on employment of homosexual staff.

BA 19/501 Guidance for departments on the employment of homosexuals in the public service, 02 Jan 1974 – 04 October 1978

Correspondence on Senior promotions: implications for homosexuality and discrimination against homosexuals in the employment in higher positions in the Civil Service. Files show a trend towards allowing for the promotion of homosexuals in the Civil Service (i.e. homosexuality not being a complete bar to career progression) but the need for review on a case-by-case and individual basis, given the merits of each case. Shows continuation of prejudice against homosexuals and barriers to their employment.

(Records of the Civil Service Department, Treasury, and Civil Service Department: Management (Personnel) Division Personnel Management (MP and PM Series)

AB 6/2648 Criteria for assessing character defects, 1961-1967

(Records of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and its predecessors, United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and predecessors: Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell: Correspondence and Papers, Personnel Dept).

CAB 21/4035 Public services security: Conference of Privy Councillors; includes report, Nov 1955 – Mar 1956 (Cabinet Office and predecessors: Registered Files (1916 to 1965))

CAB 21/4036 Public services security: Conference of Privy Councillors; includes report, Mar 1956 – July 1956 (Cabinet Office and predecessors: Registered Files (1916 to 1965))

CAB 21/4037 Public Service Security: Conference of Privy Councillors; The Lord Chancellor's papers, Nov 1955 – Feb 1956 (Cabinet Office and predecessors: Registered Files (1916 to 1965))

CAB 21/4530 Positive Vetting Procedure: Treatment of Character Defects

Includes: S. (P.S.)(57)(23) 26th April 1957 Cabinet Personnel Security Committee – civil servants as security risks on other than Communist or Fascist grounds; S.(O)(56)(8) 1956 Cabinet Official Committee on Security: Letter from Treasury to Depts: and instructions to supervisory officers on the subject.

HO 342/314 Human Rights: Campaign for Homosexual Equality (1979)

Human Rights: Campaign for Homosexual Equality enquiry into discrimination against homosexuals in the UK; Campaign's offer to keep the Home Office informed of their findings, 1979 Feb 01 - 1979 Apr 30

Correspondence between CHE, Lord Chancellor's Department and Home Office.