Request
Re accession to TNA of War Risks Insurance Office (WRIO) Records, marine and shipping, 1939-45. Whether such records have been received by TNA from originator DfT Wrecks Team; whether now fully digitised (digitisation said to have been begun in 2017); when public access will be granted to paper of digital version; Whether further delays expected. Reasons for further delay to public access to digitised records. Factors involved. Whether a high Priority is now given to this much delayed project? BT 365 has 1914-18 series of similar records. Why has BT 365 not been continued with further accruals of War Risk Insurance Office files for the 1939-45 period?
Outcome
Some information provided.
Response
We have identified six separate questions and have broken down our answers to them as follows:
1) Whether the WRIO records have been received by The National Archives from the Department for Transport (DfT):
These records have not yet been received from the DfT.
2) Whether the WRIO records are now fully digitised:
The DfT Departmental Record Officer is responsible for the appraisal, selection and transfer of public records in their care with advice and guidance from The National Archives. It is our understanding that the DfT have created digital versions of the paper records for their own business use. We recommend that you contact the DfT for further information concerning the scope and progress of their digitisation project.
3) When public access will be granted to paper or digital versions:
Once the paper records have been transferred to The National Archives they will appear on our catalogue within 60 working days. We recommend that you contact the DfT for further information on their transfer schedule.
4) Whether further delays are expected, the reasons for further delay to public access to digitised records, and the factors involved:
We are unable to comment on the transfer of the paper records, and the factors involved. It is our understanding that the DfT have created digital versions of the paper records for their own business use. We recommend that you contact the DfT for further advice and assistance.
5) Whether a high Priority is now given to this much delayed project?
We are unable to comment on the priority given by the DfT in the transfer of the paper records. We recommend that you contact the DfT for further advice and assistance.
6) Why has BT 365 not been continued with further accruals of War Risk Insurance Office files for the 1939-45 period?
There are no further accruals expected for the BT 365 series, as this series covers the First World War. Records relating to the Second World War will be transferred into a new series by the DfT.
The Department for Transport can be contacted at:
FOI Requests
Department for Transport
FOI Advice Team
3rd Floor
One Priory Square
Hastings TN34 1EA
United Kingdom
Email: foi-advice-team-dft@dft.gov.uk