1 - The Black Vault

Loose Minute
D/Sec(AS)/64/3
20 July 2000
AD/E&MGOMD
Copy to:
DRl
CODE REQUEST- PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE
1. We spoke this morning about a letter we have received from a member of the
public who is seelcing access to 'UFO' files from 1969. I attach a copy of the letter
and our proposed response.
2. We have found Dr Clarke to be tenacious when corresponding on other 'UFO'­
related issues and I have some concerns about how he might respond to a refusal to
grant his request. What might we say if he replies that he is prepared to give an
undertaking that he would not record or use any personal details contained in the
files? He could claim that he was only interested in aggregating the data and
therefore the personal confidentiality argument would not arise.
3. If a decision was to be made now or in future to grant access without the material
being sanitised, how might this be done so as to ensure personal information was not
extracted? It is likely that agreement to Dr Clarke's requests would prompt others
(ufologists with 'UFO' research-related interests and/or the media) to seek similar
access and a strategy would need to be developed for dealing for dealing with this. I
am copying this note and attachments to--for any advice he might have on
these aspects.
4. We have acknowledged Dr Clarke's letter and advised him that we will provide a
substantive response shortly.
Sec(AS)2
MB8247 -
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