1 - The Black Vault

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Under the definitions used by the Draft Freedom of Information Act (1999) all
Government records - other that those created by the Security and Intelligence Services -
should be available for public scrutiny unless it can be demonstrated their disclosure
would clearly cause harm to "national security, defence and international relations ... the
internal discussion of Government policy [and/or] personal privacy."
Since the 1950s, the UK Government's public position has been that reports of
'unidentified flying objects' have no implications for defence or national security. As a
result, there would appear to be no reason, other than protection of personal privacy, why
records maintained on this subject should not be made available for study purposes such
as the one I am proposing.
Indeed, in January this year I contacted the RAF Press Office who confirmed that the
Ministry of Defence, in response to the published aims of the draft Freedom of
Information Bill, were considering a proposal to allow access to UFO related files -
currently closed under the 30 year rule - for what were described as "bona fide
researchers." This was on the proviso that any proposed future access did not
compromise confidential personal data supplied to the MOD by members of the public
and/or endanger national security.
A preliminary examination of the MOD air files on UFOs from 1953-1969 which are
available at the PRO has demonstrated their value as a rich source of historical and social
data relevant to my proposed study. For example, a Defence Intelligence briefing from
1966-67 released to the Public Record Office last year (DEFE 31/119) demonstrates how
MOD staff were aware of the importance of these social and psychological factors,
specifically the role played by the mass media, in the wax and wane of interest
surrounding UFO reports ..
These records have hitherto never been the subject of a properly funded academic
research project. The value of such a study to the UK Government, in terms of the
development of public policy in future, should also be taken into account when this
request is considered. An independent study of this historical material might also help to
dispel the popular myth of "secrecy" and "cover-up" which continues to surround the
MOD's public statements on the subject ofUFOs.
I am currently in receipt of an award from the British Academy to study the creation and
transmission of rumours in the context of popular beliefs which spread through Britain
during the First World War, based upon records preserved at the Public Record Office.
Later this year I intend to apply to another funding body for an additional award which
would allow me to study the development of popular beliefs about UFOs and how these
have been reflected by MOD policy from the 1950s to the present. As it stands, the
proposed study would have to be based upon the MOD air files which are currently
available, and relate to the period 1953-1969.
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