Function and purpose
This series
consists of papers relating to particular Royal Commissions, each being allocated a sequential secondary
number after the primary number 5. Within this, individual files are identified
by an alphabetical prefix, generally A for the main file and subsequent letters
for different aspects. Papers for each Commission generally include
correspondence relating to its establishment and procedures, transcripts of
evidence, reports and subsequent correspondence consequent on the report.
Some Commissions
lack one or more of these components. In three cases this is explained by the
existence of additional records relating to that Commission in the previous
series (5/3, 5/12 & 5/24) but for other Commissions there seems to be no
explanation. Many earlier papers of the previous general correspondence system
of the Department have been top-numbered into this series. Files relating to
other Royal Commissions are still to be found in series A2 but the small
quantity involved may indicate that they were simply overlooked when
top-numbering took place into this series and its predecessor.
The primary
number 5 is that allocated to Royal Commissions within the three multiple
number classified systems used by the Department between 1921-1950 (series
A457, A458 and A461). It is thought that the Royal Commissions group of files
formed a separate sequence, isolated from the rest of the correspondence
systems although allocated its primary number from within that numbering
system.
Another
volume from this series, concerning the Royal Commission on Petrol, was located
in A7359/161. It has now become item F5/49 Attachment 3 of A460/2.
Related legislation
Using the series
Language of material
Physical characteristics
System of arrangement and control
Relationships with other records
Finding aids
Access conditions
Series history
Provenance
Immediate source of acquisition
Custodial history
Quantity in agency custody
Disposal history
Publication note
Additional information
End notes
Sources