The top priority for britain in case of a nuclear attack was tea according to top secret documents released under the freedom of information act . Whitehall Officials in the 1950s were concerned that in the event of a nuclear attack delays in imports would see a loss of 75% of tea stocks and it was a cause of great concern as they felt that the british people could not cope without their tea and would cause a massive loss of morale . This was given top priority as to the recovery of a return to normal life.