No great surprises in the release of papers today

Perhaps they’re keeping their powder dry for the weekend.

Still and all, had to smile at what passes for political debate at the highest levels of government in these islands.

The Prime Minister [Thatcher] also said terrorists were getting safe houses in the South. Garret FitzGerald pointed out that “we have 200 people from the North in our jails,” and added “you can have them back any time you want.”

The Prime Minister countered with: “I don’t want them. You can have all the nationalists in the North if you like.”

Any other gems? The Guardian has a passing reference to a secret US stealth programme of some sort. Can’t find anything else about it online so far. All very mysterious.

Another top secret prime ministerial file on Project Moonflower is worded in such an obscure manner that its so-called black subject is not immediately apparent.

And for space science fans an interesting insight into the politics of space launch systems.

Files released to the National Archives in Kew on Friday show how UK ministers favoured the US shuttle launch system for military satellites over Ariane rockets.

A 1983 memo from the Ministry of Defence to the prime minister warns there is “French pressure on us to be ‘European’ and go for Ariane”.

Margaret Thatcher agreed that it was better to go with the American shuttle, which was cheaper and had a better safety record.

And:

The MoD wanted to send two Skynet 4 military satellites, manufactured by BAE and Marconi, into orbit to provide communications across Europe and the Atlantic.

The shuttle launch was priced at £58m – £23m cheaper than Ariane.

And:

The French Socialist prime minister, Pierre Mauroy, wrote to Thatcher pleading for the decision to be reconsidered and offered to reduce the cost. The issue, prefiguring the Westland helicopter affair, escalated into a diplomatic row over the UK’s international priorities.

Geoffrey Howe, the foreign secretary, wrote to Thatcher in December 1983 advising caution. “If we opt for the shuttle,” he said, “we must expect the French to make a fuss.

Events got in the way, as they tend to do.

Eventually the French were told the US bid had been chosen. When the next military satellite launch in 1986, however, Ariane was favoured. After the Challenger shuttle disaster, a No 10 memo stated there “is no other option but to use Ariane”.