1 - The Black Vault

•
cause harm to defence, invade on an individual's privacy, or if it would take an unreasonable
diversion of resources to respond to a request. Information requested is supplied wherever
possible providing it does not fall under one of the exemptions in the Code. The Freedom of
Information legislation has now received Royal Assent and is known as the Freedom of
Information Act 2000. It is expected to come into force across the public sector between 2002
and 2005. Until then, all requests for information held by the public sector will continue to be
handled under the current Code.
2. Investigation of those reports (hereafter referred to as cases').
The MOD does not investigate UFO sightings. Where appropriate those within the department
with responsibility for air defence matters may be consulted but once it is established that the
report contains nothing of defence interest, no further investigations are made.
3 to 6. Cases in which the identity of the 'unidentified flying object' is determined and poses no
threat to national security. Cases in which the identity of the UFO is determined and may/could
pose a threat to national security. Cases in which the identity of the UFO is unknown and cases
in which the identity of the UFO is suspected or determined to be terrestrial in origin and not a
source publicly represented in the United Nations.
When you talk here of whether the identity of 'UFOs' has been determined, I am unclear as to
whether you are referring to unidentified aircraft tracks detected on radar or extra-terrestrial
spacecraft. The fact that the precise identity of an aircraft tracked on radar cannot be established
does not mean it is an extra-terrestrial spacecraft. There are a number of reasons why aircraft
tracked on radar cannot be positively identified. Those that are considered to represent a threat
are intercepted and positively identified. The remainder, whilst not immediately identifiable, may
be considered friendly by virtue of behavioural characteristics. A request for the release of details
concerning such incidents would be likely to be refused under Exemption la of the Code of
Practice on Access to Government Information (Information whose disclosure would harm
national security or defence), as it relates to the conduct of military operations. If, however, you
were referring to extra-terrestrial spacecraft, then the MOD knows of no such cases.
7. Cases in which the 'unidentified flying object' is suspected or determined to be of extraterrestrial
origin; or comprise extra-terrestrial technology; or be occupied by an extra-terrestrial
individual.
The MOD does not have any expertise or role in respect of 'UFO/flying saucer' matters or to the
question of the existence or otherwise of extraterrestriallifeforms, about which it remains totally
open-minded. I should add that to date the MOD knows of no evidence which substantiates the
existence of these alleged phenomena.
8. Cases in which the 'unidentified flying object' is suspected or determined to be from Earth's
past civilisations or future; or comprise technology from Earth's past civilisations or jil(ure; or be
piloted by individuals from Earth's past or future.
The MOD has no evidence of any such cases.