1982 Meeting Between the First Sea Lord and Margaret Thatcher
Dear Sir or Madam,
This is a Freedom of Information Request, could you please advise if it is possible to get a transcript of the initial meeting regarding the Argentinian attack on the Falkland Islands between the First Sea Lord - Admiral Sir Henry Leach and Margaret Thatcher - the then Prime Minister
Yours faithfully,
Paul Ashby
Ex PO Jack Dusty
CABINET OFFICE REFERENCE: FOI261726
Dear Mr Ashby,
Thank you for your request for information. Your request was received on
27/01/2009 and is being dealt with under the terms of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000.
In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, I will
let you know the likely charges before proceeding.
If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please
remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.
Yours sincerely,
FOI Team
Cabinet Office
E: [1][Number 10 request email]
The Cabinet Office computer systems may be monitored and communications
carried on them recorded, to secure the effective operation of the system
and for other lawful purposes.
Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or
recorded for legal purposes.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Number 10 request email]
Mr Ashby,
I attach our reply to your recent request for information. I shall not
send a paper copy.
I hope my letter is clear. Please contact me if you do not understand any
point.
Regards
Paul Ashby [[FOI #6732 email]]
John Jenkins
Openness Advisor
Knowledge and Information Management Unit (Openness team)
Room 3.30, Admiralty Arch, London SW1A 2WH
Tel: 020 7276 6322
email: [1][email address]
The Cabinet Office computer systems may be monitored and communications
carried on them recorded to secure the effective operation of the system
and for other lawful purposes.
Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or
recorded for legal purposes.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
Dear Sir or Madam,
Thank you for your reply - as a serving rating at the time of the Falklands conflict - it was common knowledge that some of the reply from Sir Henry to Margaret Thatcher.
I for one are very proud that Sir Henry is reputed to stick up for the British Forces, and I find it hard to believe such an important decision was not recorded.
Like many serving at the time I would like to know exactly what was said by Sir Henry.
Perhaps you would like to re-examine your records in relation to this request.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Ashby
Ex PO Jack Dusty
Mr Ashby,
Thank you for your email.
I am happy to register your application for an internal review, however
your email has left me uncertain of what I am to look for. You refer to a
'reply' and a 'decision', but you originally requested a transcript of a
meeting. Although I have searched anything mentioning Sir Henry and the
Prime Minister, it would be helpful if you would give me any precise
details you have of the event about which you wish to have information and
the type of information you want.
It would be especially helpful if you would confirm that the date of the
meeting was, as stated in my letter, 2 April 1982. I have taken this date
from Lady Thatcher's memoirs and from Sir Lawrence Freedman's official
history of the Falklands conflict, which both mention this date. It may
be of interest to you that Sir Lawrence draws on Sir Henry's
account of the meeting in his memoirs (Endure no makeshifts: some naval
recollections, Pen and Sword Books, 1993). I have searched our records
some way on either side of this date, but there is a limit to the span of
records we can reasonably be expected to search and, if I am searching for
the wrong meeting, I should be grateful if you would let me know.
Regards,
John Jenkins
Openness Advisor
Knowledge and Information Management Unit (Openness team)
Room 3.30, Admiralty Arch, London SW1A 2WH
Tel: 020 7276 6322
email: [email address]
Dear Mr Jenkins,
Thank you for your help, what I really looking for is a record of the meeting and what was actually said when it is alledged that Sir Henry told Lady Thatcher in no uncertain terms that she must do something about the Argentine invasion of the Falklands otherwise the world would look unpon our country in a different light.
Hope this clear the matter up.
Many thanks once again for your help.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Ashby
Dear Mr Ashby,
Thank you for Internal Review request dated 28/01/2009. This is receiving
attention.
Kind Regards,
FOI Team
Cabinet Office
E: [1][Number 10 request email]
The Cabinet Office computer systems may be monitored and communications
carried on them recorded, to secure the effective operation of the system
and for other lawful purposes.
Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or
recorded for legal purposes.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[Number 10 request email]
Dear Mr Ashby,
Please see the attached letter regarding your request for an internal
review.
Kind regards,
Rebecca Kingston
Freedom of Information Team
Cabinet Office
We work to defend the right to FOI for everyone
Help us protect your right to hold public authorities to account. Donate and support our work.
Donate Now