1 - The Black Vault

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SEC(AS)2A
· .. . , ~ .:
From: Hd of DR1
Sent: 03 October 2000 13:13
To: SEC(AS)2A
Cc: OMD14
Subject: DR CLARKE'S REQUEST FOR ACCESS TO UFO FILES
Importance: High
r
Thank you for you loose minute dated 2 October 2000, together with a draft reply to Dr Clarke.
You sought comments and for ease of reference I offer the following in the order raised by you:
DSI/JTIC Report No 7 UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (1952) and related intelligence reports
on UFOs 1951-1952.
We presume that as no reports survive they must have been destroyed, but in the absence of
supporting evidence, for example Destruction Certificates, the convention has been to say that
"we conclude that the papers have not survived the passage of time" (or something very similar).
My staffs review of DIS records over the last few years has specifically targeted records over 2 S
years old. This is because under the terms of the Public Records Act government departments
are not permitted to hold records in excess of 30 years without first receiving the Lord
Chancellor's approval. This Report has been on our target list. But no success.
An additional difficulty, is that under current security instructions destruction certificates need
only be kept for a minimum of five years.
The copies of papers identified on closed files - I think we should identify the files DEFE 31/19,
which contains six UFO related documents and DEFE 44/1 which contains just one page (an
entry that refers to Report No 7!). I also believe that the reply should also make clear that
although neither piece (a generic term used to describe the record) is being released the copies
we are offering to make available represents the full extent of UFO documentation contained in
intelligence records identified by Dr Clarke that he wish us to review ie closed intelligence
records.
BJ 5/311
The file contains aroundi3'6ll pages (many enclosures consist of multiple pages). Whilst I agree
with your options (a) that1fr'Ciarke should wait until January (b) or we take photocopies I have
some pertinent comments re the resource and cost implications (see below).
AIR 2/18564
The file consists of some 60 pages. I am happy to seek the Lord Chancellor's approval to release
it ahead of time, but if during the interim Dr Clarke would like copies this could be arranged.
Early release will take about three months. As above the cost verses the time might be
particularly relevant.
AF/3459/75
Although about six pages to be sanitised the file consists of around 1 50 enclosures. As the files
dates from 1970 to 1975 normal release would not occur until january 2006, but note the file
04/10/00