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Klaus Fuchs' Oath of Secrecy
June 18, 1942
On January 27, 1950 Klaus Fuchs, a British Scientist who had worked on the
atomic bomb at Los Alamos during the war, confessed to being a Soviet spy. On
March 1, 1950 he was tried and found guilty at the Old Bailey in London.
To:The Secretary,
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
I, K. Fuchs, understand that the investigation on Tube Alloys Research or any
work in connection therewith on which I am engaged in the University of
Birmingham, is being undertaken by me solely on behalf of the Department of
Scientific and Industrial Research, that it is confidential and that no
information concerning it is to be communicated or published in any way by me
except (a) to those my colleagues of whose names I have been or will from time
to time be informed in writing by Prof. R. Peirels or (b) to the secretary of
the Department, or (c) to the Director of Tube Alloys Research of the
Department or (d) to a person who shall have been notified in writing to me by
Prof R. Peierls or by the Secretary or Director, as aforesaid, as authorized to
receive such information.
I have seen and read copies of the Official Secrets Acts, 1911, 1920 and
1939.
I understand that the results of the investigation, (hereinafter called "the
results" which expression includes as well as all principal discoveries
inventions and other results arising from the investigation all discoveries
inventions and other results arising from the investigation which are
indirectly concerned with its principal objects) are the property solely of the
Department and in consideration of the Department entrusting me with the
investigation or with any work in connection therewith I undertake not to make
any application for my patent or other protection in respect of any such
discoveries or inventions without the prior written consent of the Department,
and if and when, and only when, called upon so to do by the Department through
its representative duly authorized in manner as stated at paragraph (d) above,
to sign any document and to do any other act or thing at the Department's
expense, as may be necessary to secure to the Department or its nominee any
Letters Patent or other protection or rights in the results and to assign any
such Letters Patent or other protection or rights as shall be directed by the
Department; but this shall not prevent me, if I do so desire, from applying to
the Department for an ex gratia award in respect of any such discovery or
invention.
I understand that the use of the results will be controlled, and all
negotiations for such use conducted by the Department and in consideration as
aforesaid I undertake to do nothing in relation to the results or any Letters
Patent or other protection or rights which may arise therefrom or obtain in
connection therewith except with the prior written consent of, or by the prior
written direction of, the Department, and only in accordance with such consent
or direction.
I understand that these provisions apply also to any other investigations
forming part of the same general programme on which I may have been engaged in
the past or may be engaged in the future on behalf of any Department of H.W.
Government in so far as these are not covered by any other written agreement or
statement past or future signed by me.
Dated this 18th day of June, 1942.
(Signed) Klaus Fuchs.
Witness: R. Peierls.
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