Briefing for Ministers and Press Offices on the Renewal of 'Blanket' Approval to Retain Security and Intelligence Records

This document is a briefing note prepared for Ministers and press offices in February 1992 regarding the renewal of the 'blanket' approval to retain security and intelligence records under the Public Records Act 1958. The document outlines the government's policy on record retention, emphasizing that while the general policy is to release records after 30 years, security and intelligence-related material is retained to protect national security. The briefing explains that this 'blanket' approval is reviewed every ten years and that the current approval has been renewed for 20 years. A significant portion of the document addresses the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) stance on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UFOs). The MOD clarifies that its interest in UFOs is strictly limited to determining whether reported sightings have any bearing on the defence of the United Kingdom. It explicitly states that there is no dedicated UFO investigation unit and that no staff are employed full-time on the subject. The document provides specific responses to common questions regarding UFOs, including the RAF Woodbridge incident of December 1980. Regarding Woodbridge, the MOD maintains that the incident was adequately investigated by Colonel Halt at the time and that no further action was required, as there was no evidence of a threat to national security. The document also includes a section on the 'Farm Hall Tapes' and provides a list of reasons for withholding security and intelligence records, such as the protection of confidential sources and intelligence collection methods. The briefing concludes by reiterating that the MOD will continue to examine reports for defence implications but will not devote resources to scientific investigations of unexplained phenomena.