Series M58 contains material related to Sir John McEwan's ministerial responsibilities and interests over the course of 24 years. The records cover a wide range of matters, including: portfolio correspondence; departmental minutes, files and administrative miscellanea; briefing papers and notes on Cabinet submissions; notes of interviews and speeches; material related to overseas visits; press cuttings and notes; and, personal papers and objects.

While much of the material was held in subject or person titled folders, the records were assembled after the depositor's death. The series had no apparent original or easily recognisable order at time of transfer and a single number system of control was imposed by the Archives.