9.
Possible courses might be:
(i)
to hold the position, making full use of the entrenched clauses of the present constitution.
(ii) within the present general framework (of total numbers etc) to adjust the geographical spread: this would have to be at the expense of Europe.
(iii) to adjust the geographical spread without damage to Europe: this would entail a substantial increase in the number of Govem ment members of the Governing Body, and therefore corresponding increases in the number of representatives of employees and workers.
Though the United States will contine to argue for no change, this may be difficult to hold indefinitely and the indications are that they might be ready to settle for a solution like (ii) sooner than for one like (iii). In that case the European permanent seats, that of the UK among them, will be at risk and we should be likely to be offered, at best, a share of a seat on some sort of rotation whether formal or informal. The UK Government attaches importance to continuing participation in the work of the Governing Body and its committees since this bears directly on our ability to influence the programme and direction of the ILO while also meeting the organisation's need for continuity of management. It would be useful to know the views of other members of the Committee as to the importance which should be attached to permanency of a UK government seat on the Governing Body.
10. It is considered that close tripartite liaison and exchange
of information on future intentions is desirable in all the areas referred to above if conditions are to be secured in the crucial time ahead which will enable the United States to continue in membership.
11.
The committee is invited to discuss the developments and to endorse the close liaison referred to in paragraph 10.
Department of Employment 14 April 1977