TOP SECRET
DEF 75/51/02
Sent
Page 152
27th May, 1958.
24.
Just a line to supplement our telegram No.450 about the garrison.
You said in your telegram No.425 that you feared there had been some misunderstanding about waiving the proviso in paragraph 4 of your telegram No.350. I am sorry we contributed to it but the point really was, as explained in the third paragraph of our telegram under reference, that other Departments here, and in particular the Treasury, at first regarded the assurance for which you asked as requiring a corresponding assurance from other Ministers concerned at least to the effect that the lands issue was, for them, an open one whereas of course we know that they have firm views which do not correspond with your owIL. Strictly speaking, this is a correct interpretation of the doctrine of collective responsibility of Ministers and we had therefore to seek the Secretary of State's instructions on the carte which we should go with you. That is the g of our original enquiry whether you still were pressing for the assurance of the terms of paragraph 3 of our latest telegram.
I hope that arrangements can now go forward smoothly for the reinforcement of the garrison on the lines you wish. The lands argument will no doubt be a very long- Page 152 of 283 drawn out one and we can tackle it separatelyo fas you
/propose,
Sir Robert Black, KCMG., OBE.,