Description of series:
Known as the General Series, this correspondence relates to the last 15 months of Joseph Aloysius Lyons' term as Prime Minister (1938-early April 1939). It consists of personal representations, letters of opinion or providing information on various matters and some minor political correspondence. Several letters were addressed to Dame Enid Lyons rather than her husband. In some of these cases, the reply came from her. However, the correspondence was essentially all handled by Lyons' Prime Ministerial staff. The main subjects covered include the personal situation of the writer or a member of his/her family, the imminence of war, H G Wells, radio broadcasts, some social and political issues and condolences offered on Lyons' death. 

History Prior/Subsequent to Transfer:
These files were apparently commenced at the beginning of 1938. Following the unexpected death of Lyons in April 1939, some remained open when R G Menzies took office as Prime Minister so that the business they were concerned with could be concluded. The correspondence is in alphabetical order by name of correspondent. A single number system has been imposed on the files, one for each letter of the alphabet. The files were transferred to archival custody by the Prime Minister's Department on 26 January 1949 (ref. RWC 2/8/1). Originally accessioned as part of CP4 (later CP246), they were renumbered as CP167 in 1953. The series description was revised as part of the Prime Ministers Papers' Project in January 2002.
 

Person controlling unregistered

1939-1981 : Dame Enid Lyons
1981-3000 : Estate of Dame Enid Lyons