CODE 18 - 77
(W/36
Reference
Mr Clarke.
I had a fairly long discussion with Mr du Boulay on the evening of 21 December - the result of which is his short minute on Mr Munro's minute at No. 36 below. I tried later that evening to get the artwork returned to Mr Haswell - without success.
I again tried all day today and have come to the conclusion that they had an early shut-down for Christmas.
2.
S
All that needs to be done is to telephone to Mr Haswell (No.703 7162) and tell him the designs are to be collected from the post-room. He should be told we regret we cannot comment at all. (He is aware of reasons: "we are not in diplomatic relations and cannot be involved in the problem).
3.
Unofficially - Mr du Boulay has spoken with Mr Heseltine who said that the Palace would not wish either to approve or disarrrove. They would prefer not to see the designs, and not to have anything to b with the proposal. Mr du Boulay's own reaction is that he would prefer a British firm
since we could not stolen the job rather than say an East German
4.
getting the stamps printed.
My sympathy lies with Mr Haswell since he wax must decide what to do if he cantix get rid of the contract. I wonder if one way out would be for him to tell the Ugandans that since the stamps won't be released in x 25th Anniversary of Coronation Year it is too late to get The Queen's approval? Therefore he doesn't want the job.
5.
The position of EAD in all this is: Action as in para. 2 above should be taken, and the letter from The House of Que sta W/35 should be endorsed "Spoken with Mr Haswell - designs returned today without comment". Their view is that what happens after that is Mr Haswell's business. In no way should any indication be given that problem has been studied in FCO.
6.
Sorry to lumber you with this on your return but I did try hard to close the matter before Christmas.
11. Sowell
HK&GD
Room K 271 -
Tel No.4828 22 December 1978
www
$20/12