I note with surprise that the briefing files referred to above were among a batch destroyed
in 1990.
On 14 October 1998 in the House ofLords, Lord Hill-Norton asked the Minister of State
(MOD) to list the names and locations of MOD files relating to UFOs covering the period
1970-85. In reply, Lord Gilbert published a list (Hansard, House ofLords, 17 December
1998 Column W A178) of files which "have been identified and are earmarked for review
by MOD"; the list contains the following:
{) 1_ A --- ''D/DS8175/3 -one part~ UFO, Parliamentary Correspondence."
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' ~--~-~ J('V'"" c-U !J . 14) 0The name of this file appears similar, if not identical, to that of the two destroyed in 1990.
~c. However, it was listed as existing in the file store in 1998. Does it contain related
material and if so, could I make an application for a copy of this file?
J- On a related point, both DI 55 and RAF Ops(GE)2 contributed briefings to assist Lord
..,u." · Strabolgi's response in the House of Lords debate of 1979. Have these two MOD
~~ ~F'~,:o branches retained copies of their own individual contributions within their own file store?
v ~:0 .t~~
v > \
~.. J.,· 3. Copies of report made by RAF Fylingdales, North Yo~kshire, of unidentified
~·;}.Y' object/s tracked by the BMEWS on or about 13 September 1980, and
~ reported to MOD
Comments relevant to (1) above.
/Since you are reviewing file D/DS8/75/2/5 Part B which contains UFO reports from
V August-November, 1980 I wish to make a request. I understand an officer
}
from the West Yorkshit'e Police (PC ofTodmorden) filed a report
concerning a UFO he observed in the of28 November 1980. Following
procedure, this should have been copied to MOD. If, during the course of your review, a
report or enclosure relating to this incident is located, I wish to apply for a copy of this
document.
4. Copies of UFO reports made in the early houn of 30/31 March 1993 by RAF
and meteorological office penonnel and by members of the public,
xu""(
rr~~.c: . The file reference D/Sec(AS)1217 UFOs, alleged UFO incident, 31st March 1993, appears
0° P"' 0 j to refer to the incident which is the subject of my request. I note that it contains 40
~u-).)y enclosures; I would of course be interested in any additional relevant information that
'1'>' 'I you may have located since your letter of 16 September.
5. Reports ~f •nusual phenomena on radar in the early houn of 5 October 1996
reported by the SOC Neatishead and UFO reports made by Lincolnshire
police and the S~egness coastguard.