Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
•<br />
• AF/3459/75 'UFOs': Policy and policy statements 1970- This file<br />
contains a very small number, perhaps six, to be sanitised. It would be<br />
possible to photocopy the file and provide you with photocopies (see<br />
below).<br />
• Additional policy files 1968-81 - Our researches suggest this may<br />
represent around 80 files. <strong>The</strong>re will be a matter ofthousands<br />
(Question: can we quote an approximate figure?) of documents on<br />
these files including many containing personal details that would require<br />
sanitising before copies might be released. This is because, as mentioned<br />
in our letter of25 July, the MOD has a duty to protect third party<br />
confidentiality over a 30-year period. In order to sanitise the likely<br />
number of papers and photocopy the full contents of all the files, staff<br />
would need to be diverted from their essential defence-related tasks.<br />
Your request in relation to the policy files 1968-81 is therefore refused<br />
under Exemption 9 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government<br />
Information (voluminous or vexatious requests and Exemption 12,<br />
Privacy of an individual). Were you able to be more specific about dates<br />
this would enable us to consider a more focussed effort on a limited<br />
amount of material. I attach a list of the files and their titles. If you wish<br />
to identify (Question: Number?) of files we would be able to sanitise<br />
and photocopy the contents. If you are unhappy with the decision to<br />
refuse your request for access to those MOD files and wish to appeal, you<br />
should write in the first instance to the Ministry of Defence, DOMD,<br />
Room 619, Northumberland House, Northumberland Avenue, London<br />
WC2N 5BP requesting the decision be reviewed. Iffollowing the<br />
internal review you remain dissatisfied you can ask your MP to take up<br />
the case with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (the<br />
Ombudsman) who can investigate on your behalf. <strong>The</strong> Ombudsman will<br />
not, however, consider an investigation until the internal review process<br />
has been completed.<br />
• AIR 20/12556 'UFO' reports January 1974 (additionally AIR<br />
2/18873)- File AIR 20112556 is not a 'UFO file. (Would it be<br />
disingenuous of us to fail to mention AF/584 UFO reports January<br />
1974? If so I suggest the following.) AF/584 contains UFO reports for<br />
January 1974 amounting to some 100 enclosures. AIR 2/18873 contains<br />
public enquiries amounting to some 109 enclosures. It would be possible<br />
to sanitise and photocopy the contents of both files (see below).
Change language