MOD file DEFE 24/2032/1

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DRAFT
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PSLUSofS(RAF) through DUS(Air) and PS/USofS(?AF)
Copies to: PS/CS{RAF)
ACS(G )(RAF)
DI55 - I{r Asteraki
Ops ( GE) 2b(RA.l!')
Placed opposite is a draft closing address for the Lords
debate on UFOs, and a Background Note; due at your office by
1_? Ja.nua!l..J..212.•
2. There is a temptation to equivocate about UFOs because of
the thought that vTe might one day make contact "VTi th people from
distant stars. Ho't-rever, the.re is nothing to indicate that
ufology is anything but claptrap and no evidence a·t all of 1alien
space craft'. The u~O industry h~s prospered from equivocation and,
lii th 1979 l)eing heralded as 'the year of the UFOs 1 , it seems very
proper for H~TI to inject some massive common sense into the business
and come out vri th an equtvoc·al attack on ufology. V/it;h the impact of
the film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind", and the increasing
efforts of the UFO industry and increasing publicity gbren to i-ts
exponents, quite sensible people may begin to wonder whether there
might not be something in ufology, on the "where there's smoke there's
..
fire" principle. Less sensible people may be increasingly confused
and perhaps even worried, to the increasing profit and encouragement
.
of the UFO industry. The subject will not go at>Tay, the Department
and probably Ministers are likely to find themselves increasingly
involved and under pressure for formal statements; and the popular
and UFO press are likely to make· all the mileage they can out of tho
Lords Debate, particularly if there are signn of equivocation or
phrases that co..n easily be misrepresented.
4. Aca:ordingly it is strongly recommentled that the Government take
an uneq_uj.vocal and uncompromisil:lf; line.
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