§ Lord Hill-Nortonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will list the references and titles of all open and closed files currently held by the Ministry of Defence which contain information about unidentified flying objects. [HL3910]
§ Lord GilbertWithin the Air Staff Secretariat, the Ministry of Defence focal point for all matters relating to "UFOs", a total of 76 files dating from 1985 are held. These files contain public correspondence, sighting reports and associated papers and are referenced as follows:
Reference:
- D/Sec(AS)/12/1) 5 parts dealing with policy
- D/Sec(AS)/64/1) issues.
WA 191 - D/Sec(AS)/12/2)
- D/Sec(AS)/12/2/1)
- D/Sec(AS)/12/5) 27 parts dealing with alleged
- D/Sec(AS)/12/6) sightings.
- D/Sec(AS)/12/7)
- D/Sec(AS)/64/2)
- D/Sec(AS)/12/3) 34 parts dealing with public
- D/Sec(AS)/64/3) correspondence.
- D/Sec(AS)/12/4) 8 parts dealing with
- D/Sec(AS)/64/4) Parliamentary business
- D/Sec(AS)/64/5 1 part for media issues.
- D/Sec(AS)/64/6 1 part listing answerphone messages.
It is possible that some files held in other MoD headquarters divisions or establishments may contain papers relating to this topic, but these could only be identified and provided at disproportionate cost.
§ Lord Hill-Nortonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 14 October (WA 100), whether they will authorise the opening of the thirty-three closed files at the Public Record Office which contain information about unidentified flying objects. [HL3909]
§ Lord GilbertThe 33 files identified contain correspondence between members of the public and officials. They will be released at the 30 year point in the normal way.