Archive

1986 Apr 29 - 1992 Sep 21
Prime Ministerial Private Office files

PREM19/3656
Disasters (Chernobyl: Soviet nuclear accident, 26 April 1986) (Part 1)

Source: TNA, PREM19 series
Release date: 2017 Dec 29
Classification: Top Secret
Page count: 299
Any docs withheld? 9

PREM19/3656 - download whole file (PDF, 71.24 MB)

Selections from this file

Showing items 1 - 20 of 39

Per page:
Date Value Title
86 Apr 29 Tu Major Chernobyl: FCO telegram to UKE Moscow ("Chernobyl nuclear accident") [call on Ministry of Foreign Affairs and demand information; IAEA requirements] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 Apr 30 We Major Chernobyl: No.10 record of conversation (MT-Soviet Ambassador Zamyatin) [MT expresses great sympathy, regrets lack of information provided by Soviets] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 Apr 30 We Major Chernobyl: UKE Washington telegram 1127 to FCO (0830Z) ("Accident at nuclear power station at Chernobyl") [information available to US] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 Apr 30 We Major Chernobyl: UKE Moscow telegram to FCO ("Chernobyl nuclear accident: Soviet response") [belated briefing at MFA from "high-powered trio"] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 Apr 30 We Major Chernobyl: FCO telegram to UKE Warsaw ("Chernobyl") [prepared to help with evacuation of pregnant wives and young children of Embassy staff] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 May 2 Fr Major Chernobyl: No.10 telegram to MT's party in Seoul (updates) [prisons; nuclear accident; markets; Libya; plutonium; supplementary benefit and mortgage interest; ministerial visit] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 May 3 Sa Major Chernobyl: No.10 telegram to MT's party in Seoul (forwarding advice from Chief Scientific Adviser) [avoid saying similar accident could not happen in UK] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 May 3 Sa Major Chernobyl: No.10 telegram to MT's party in Seoul (forwarding advice from Walter Marshall) ["without any doubt at all ... the biggest disaster the nuclear industry has had"; re-fueling of some British reactors "comparable in concept"] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 May 4 Su Major Chernobyl: Armstrong minute for Powell ("Chernobyl: Nuclear Safety") [Japanese propose G7 should issue statement; likely to be on lines we wish] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 May 5 Mo Major Chernobyl: No.10 message to MT's party in Tokyo ("Radioactive Milk"; radio interview with Chief Scientific Adviser) [Sellafield readings; radiation levels in milk declining] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 May 6 Tu Major Chernobyl: UKE Moscow telegram to FCO ("Nuclear accident in Chernobyl: round up of Soviet statements and comment") [Powell notes: "poor Soviet performance on their obligations"] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 May 6 Tu Major Chernobyl: Cabinet Office minute for No.10 ("Arrangements to cope with the effects on the UK of Chernobyl") [Monitoring of Milk, Water Supplies, Air etc; Interdepartmental Coordination] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 May 7 We Major Chernobyl: Ingham minute for MT ("Post Chernobyl Presentation") [impression of buck-passing] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 May 7 We Major Chernobyl: Cabinet Office minute for No.10 ("Arrangements to cope with the effects on the UK of Chernobyl") [Interdepartmental Coordination - Department of the Environment resisting lead role] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 May 7 We Major Chernobyl: Soviet Ambassador letter to Ingham (Moscow press conference transcript) [rejects reproach from G7] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 May 7 We Major Chernobyl: Chief Scientific Adviser minute for No.10 ("Chernobyl Nuclear Reactor Incident") [proposed study by Chief Scientists] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 May 8 Th Major Chernobyl: No.10 record of conversation (MT-Energy Secretary Peter Walker) [MT rejects Walker's proposal to visit Moscow for briefing from Soviets] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 May 8 Th Major Chernobyl: MT letter to Walter Marshall (thanks for his letter briefing her on the disaster) ["a real gem, full of insight and wisdom and so invaluble for our briefing for the Summit"] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 May 9 Fr Major Chernobyl: Cabinet Office minute for No.10 ('Chernobyl') [Department of the Environment statement; EC debating action on food imports from affected areas] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]
86 May 12 Mo Major Chernobyl: UKMIS Vienna telegram 79 to FCO (0800Z) (International Atomic Energy Authority briefing) [situation coming under control] ​​​​​​​[released Dec 2017]