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 su1gle 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 MOD 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 phenomena are of
an extra-terrestrial origin'. However, that response is more likely
toilritate 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
l•li.nister of Defence in 1974 lias brought to the Department's notic-e
in correspondence from the public. Attempts by DPR(~~) to verify
the statement through the French Embassy were unsuccessful, since
it was virtually impossible to check back on a radio proeramme
broadcast tvTC years earlier. Neither was the British Air Attache's
staff in Paris able to produce information on the broadcast. It is
understood, ho"'trever, that the French Defence Ninistry also stud;y-
the ~lilitary 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 knmm as
the Centre Nationale D'Etude 'spatial. The British Air Attache in