MT's official files as Prime Minister, 1979-90

MT's official files as PM can be read on this site as they are released, in full and free to all - the confidential files originally stored at No.10, the core record of her premiership.

The files have been copied at the British National Archives (TNA) at Kew in London and can be downloaded precisely as they appear in the reading room.

We are doing something more to help people make sense of this mass of information. The files are subject-based, logically enough, but that system makes it difficult to reconstruct the flow of paper across the Prime Minister’s desk at any point in time, depriving us of a sense of context, of the political cross-winds, some of them overwhelming.

To combat this effect we are uploading a large selection of the most important documents from these files – thousands in total – to our powerful site database. You can search and sort by date, subject and other parameters, getting as close as anyone can now get to reconstructing the Prime Minister’s daily "Red Boxes", the rich diet of foreign and domestic policy papers submitted to her by the No.10 Private Office.

List and links to the PM’s files

Below are links to the downloadable files in numerical order. The subject terms are those used in the original filing system.

An average file has around 200 pages.

You can read here an account of how filing worked at No.10, and the system for archiving MT’s Prime Ministerial papers, both of which had their quirks.

Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Private Office files, 1979-1989

1979-89: Chancellor’s Private Office files [links to hundreds of digitised files from the Chancellorships of Sir Geoffrey Howe and Nigel Lawson]

Engagement Diaries

An alternative way through the material is to read MT’s engagement diaries, jumping day to day.

The engagement diaries link directly to relevant documents in the site database, so this is a good way to recover the perspective from the Red Box.

Showing items 451 - 500 of 3726

Per page:

File name	File title	Begins	Ends	Release date	Any docs withheld?	Classification	Pages
PREM19/451	Egypt (Visits to UK by Vice President Mubarak in June 1979, May 1980 and September 1980: calls on the Prime Minister)	Begins: 1979 May 29	Ends: 1980 Sep 8	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 156
PREM19/452	Energy (Mossmorran ethylene cracker project: possibility of Government assistance)	Begins: 1981 May 21	Ends: 1981 Aug 17	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 21
PREM19/453	Energy (Future of British National Oil Corporation (BNOC); Petroleum and Continental Shelf Bill; Clyde oil field development) (Part 4)	Begins: 1980 Jul 4	Ends: 1981 Dec 22	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Secret	Pages: 214
PREM19/454	Energy (Proposal for North Sea gas gathering pipeline)	Begins: 1979 Jul 2	Ends: 1981 Sep 14	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 243
PREM19/455	European policy (Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)) (Part 7)	Begins: 1980 Dec 2	Ends: 1981 Mar 31	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Secret	Pages: 161
PREM19/456	European policy (Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)) (Part 8)	Begins: 1981 Apr 1	Ends: 1981 Nov 19	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Secret	Pages: 248
PREM19/457	European policy (European Community budget) (Part 10)	Begins: 1980 Sep 23	Ends: 1981 Feb 27	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 191
PREM19/458	European policy (European Community budget) (Part 11)	Begins: 1981 Mar 4	Ends: 1981 Sep 24	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 114
PREM19/459	European policy (European Community budget) (Part 12)	Begins: 1981 Oct 9	Ends: 1981 Dec 1	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 188
PREM19/460	European policy (Report by the 'Three Wise Men' on European Community institutions)	Begins: 1979 Mar 13	Ends: 1981 Jun 30	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Secret	Pages: 184
PREM19/461	European policy (European Council meeting in Maastricht, Netherlands, March 1981) (Part 6)	Begins: 1981 Feb 24	Ends: 1981 Apr 2	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 85
PREM19/462	European policy (European Council meeting in Luxembourg, June 1981) (Part 7)	Begins: 1981 May 21	Ends: 1981 Jul 6	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 216
PREM19/463	European policy (European Council meeting in London, November 1981) (Part 8)	Begins: 1981 Oct 13	Ends: 1981 Nov 24	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Secret	Pages: 250
PREM19/464	European policy (European Council meeting in London, November 1981) (Part 9)	Begins: 1981 Nov 25	Ends: 1981 Dec 6	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30	Any docs withheld? 1	Classification: Confidential	Pages: 171
PREM19/465	European policy (Prime Minister's address to European Parliament, December 1981)	Begins: 1980 Nov 3	Ends: 1981 Dec 16	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 134
PREM19/466	Fishing industry (EEC Common Fisheries Policy) (Part 4)	Begins: 1980 Sep 4	Ends: 1981 Sep 15	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Secret	Pages: 256
PREM19/467	Foreign policy (Prime Minister's visit to Saudi Arabia & the Gulf States, April 1981) (Part 1)	Begins: 1981 Feb 8	Ends: 1981 Apr 13	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30	Any docs withheld? 3	Classification: Confidential	Pages: 201
PREM19/468	France (Visit to UK by Jacques Chaban-Delmas, President of National Assembly, March 1981: meeting with Prime Minister)	Begins: 1981 Mar 2	Ends: 1981 Mar 20	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 13
PREM19/469	France (Visit to UK by President Giscard d'Estaing, November 1979: Anglo-French Summit) (Part 1)	Begins: 1979 Jul 11	Ends: 1981 Mar 10	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Secret	Pages: 190
PREM19/470	France (Visits to UK by President Mitterrand, July and September 1981; Anglo-French Summit) (Part 2)	Begins: 1981 Mar 20	Ends: 1981 Sep 11	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Secret	Pages: 262
PREM19/471	Germany (Prime Minister's meetings with Chancellor Schmidt in Bonn, November 1980 and November 1981: Anglo-German Summits) (Part 2)	Begins: 1980 Jun 4	Ends: 1981 Nov 18	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Top Secret	Pages: 338
PREM19/472	Germany (Visit to UK by Chancellor Schmidt, March 1980: Anglo-German Summit) (Part 2)	Begins: 1979 Aug 13	Ends: 1981 Apr 17	Date of release: 2012 Feb 22		Classification: Secret	Pages: 229
PREM19/473	Ghana (Visit to UK by President Limann, May 1981: meeting with Prime Minister)	Begins: 1980 Oct 21	Ends: 1981 Jun 2	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 155
PREM19/474	Government buildings (Expenditure on government accommodation)	Begins: 1979 Jun 20	Ends: 1981 Apr 2	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 18
PREM19/475	Government machinery (Organisation of Treasury and Civil Service Department (CSD)) (Part 3)	Begins: 1980 Dec 3	Ends: 1981 Feb 14	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 253
PREM19/476	Government machinery (Organisation of Treasury and Civil Service Department (CSD); consideration of a 'Prime Minister's Department') (Part 4)	Begins: 1981 May 20	Ends: 1981 Oct 30	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30	Any docs withheld? 1	Classification: Secret	Pages: 227
PREM19/477	Government machinery (Promotion of efficiency and elimination of waste: the Rayner Scrutiny Programme) (Part 7)	Begins: 1980 Nov 26	Ends: 1981 Feb 2	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 260
PREM19/478	Government machinery (Promotion of efficiency and elimination of waste: the Rayner Scrutiny Programme) (Part 8)	Begins: 1981 Feb 2	Ends: 1981 May 20	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 436
PREM19/479	Government machinery (Promotion of efficiency and elimination of waste: the Rayner Scrutiny Programme) (Part 9)	Begins: 1981 May 21	Ends: 1981 Sep 16	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 341
PREM19/480	Government machinery (Internal audit & financial control in government) (Part 1)	Begins: 1979 May 30	Ends: 1981 Aug 12	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 331
PREM19/481	Government machinery (Advisory Council for Applied Research & Development (ACARD): reports on IT, computer-aided design & technological change; future of ACARD) (Part 2)	Begins: 1980 Aug 1	Ends: 1981 Dec 14	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 226
PREM19/482	Government machinery (Reactivation of Civil Contingencies Unit in Cabinet Office: review of contingency planning; proposed Central Press Unit; use of TAVR during industrial disputes) (Part 1)	Begins: 1979 May 29	Ends: 1981 Mar 2	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 70
PREM19/483	Home affairs (Oil refineries in Canvey Island and Thurrock area: industrial hazards)	Begins: 1979 Apr 11	Ends: 1981 Mar 24	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 155
PREM19/484	Home affairs (Civil disorder: riots in Brixton, Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester & London; Prime Minister's meetings with community leaders; anti-riot equipment for the police; Urban Programme; implications for local authority spending)	Begins: 1980 Apr 2	Ends: 1981 Oct 29	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Secret	Pages: 247
PREM19/485	Home affairs (Powers of entry: review by David Mitchell, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at Department of Industry; enforcement powers of Revenue Departments; European Commission powers of entry) (Part 1)	Begins: 1979 Oct 23	Ends: 1981 Sep 25	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 244
PREM19/486	Immigration (The Nationality Bill) (Part 1)	Begins: 1979 Jul 26	Ends: 1981 Oct 29	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Secret	Pages: 150
PREM19/487	India (Prime Minister's visit to India, April 1981) (Part 1)	Begins: 1981 Jan 14	Ends: 1981 Apr 19	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30	Any docs withheld? 1	Classification: Secret	Pages: 357
PREM19/488	India (UK/Indian relations; Indo/Soviet arms deal) (Part 1)	Begins: 1980 May 28	Ends: 1981 Jan 28	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 165
PREM19/489	Industrial policy (Information Technology: shortcomings of interdepartmental Whitehall machinery; Central Policy Review Staff (CPRS) and Advisory Council for Applied Research and Development (ACARD) reports) (Part 1)	Begins: 1980 Jan 25	Ends: 1981 Mar 30	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 132
PREM19/490	Industrial policy (Prime Minister's meetings with Confederation of British Industry (CBI) on economic strategy) (Part 2)	Begins: 1980 Nov 7	Ends: 1981 Jul 7	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 205
PREM19/491	Industrial policy (Industrial relations law) (Part 7)	Begins: 1980 Dec 1	Ends: 1981 Oct 2	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 291
PREM19/492	Industrial policy (Future of British Leyland (BL)) (Part 4)	Begins: 1980 Jul 2	Ends: 1981 Jan 22	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Secret	Pages: 257
PREM19/493	Industrial policy (Future of British Leyland (BL)) (Part 5)	Begins: 1981 Jan 22	Ends: 1981 Oct 31	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Secret	Pages: 308
PREM19/494	Industrial policy (National Union of Mineworkers (NUM): structure and procedures, and leading personalities; likely tactics in pay negotiations)	Begins: 1980 Mar 17	Ends: 1981 Oct 27	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Secret	Pages: 40
PREM19/495	Information and publicity (Public attitudes on pay determination; presentation of Government's economic policy) (Part 2)	Begins: 1980 Jul 11	Ends: 1981 Nov 17	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 77
PREM19/496	Iran (Internal situation; US and UK relations with Iran following hostage taking at American embassy in Tehran; demonstration in Grosvenor Square by Iranian students; sanctions) (Part 8)	Begins: 1980 May 28	Ends: 1981 Feb 17	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Top Secret	Pages: 302
PREM19/497	Iraq (Visit to UK by Foreign Minister Dr Saadoun Hammadi, March 1981: meeting with Prime Minister)	Begins: 1980 Nov 13	Ends: 1981 Mar 18	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Confidential	Pages: 35
PREM19/498	Ireland (Situation in Northern Ireland; force levels) (Part 8)	Begins: 1980 Aug 12	Ends: 1981 Feb 25	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30	Any docs withheld? 1	Classification: Top Secret - UK Eyes A	Pages: 224
PREM19/499	Ireland (Situation in Northern Ireland; force levels) (Part 9)	Begins: 1981 Mar 3	Ends: 1981 Aug 23	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Secret	Pages: 277
PREM19/500	Ireland (Prime Minister's visits to Northern Ireland) (Part 2)	Begins: 1981 Feb 5	Ends: 1981 Jul 21	Date of release: 2011 Dec 30		Classification: Secret	Pages: 220

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