MOD file DEFE 24/2032/1

BACKGROUND NOTE
MOD interests in UFO investigation is solely to establish
whether report have any bearing on defence. Investigations of
individual reports over a number of years have produced no
evidence that UFOs represent a threat to defence. As might be
expected, simple explanations have been found for most UFO
reports, the most common single source of sightings being air-
craft or the ligh~or aircraft seen under unusual meteorological
conditions. There is nothing to justify the expenditure of Defence
funds on setting up a section to investigate the reports.
2. We sometimes take the line: 'The :r;roD does not dismiss the
possibility that intelligent life could exist in outer space, but
reports that have reached the Department to date contain no
~vidence to support the view that these alleged phenoThena are of
an extra-terrestrial origin'. However, that response is more likely
toi~tate the dedicated enthusiasts than to convince them, so it is
customary to p1ay a dead bat.
3. During 1976, the statement said to have been made by the French
~linister of Defence in 1974 was brought to the Department's notice
in correspondence from the public. Attempts by DPR(R.U')- to verify
the state~ent through the ~·ench Embassy were unsuccessful, since
it was virtually impossible to check back on a radio programme
broadcast two years earlier. Neither -v;as the British .A.ir Attache's
staff in Paris able to produce information on the broadcast. It is
understood, ho"'rever, that the French Defence Ninistry also study
the ~alitary implications and consider any scientific aspect that
may have a bearing on military affajrs. The reports are also con-
sidered by French scientists at a Government organisation knO\m as
the Centre Nationale D'Etude 'spatial. The British Air Attache in