TNAG-0115-FCO40-151-Departmental-briefs-for-Commonwealth-Prime-Minister-s-and-ot-1969 — Page 31

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Reference..

MF 8/502/6

Mr. Bullock (Caribbean Dept.) Mr. Parker (C. A. Dept.)

Mr. Preston (Commodities Dept.) Mr. Beattie (C. Co-ord. Dept.) Mr. Counsell (E. A. Dept.) Mr. Stewart (Hong Kong Dept.)

Mr. Minnitt (P. & I. 0. Dept.)

Miss P. T. Metcalfe (Prot. & Conf. Dept.)

Mr. Bevan (Rhodesia Econ. Dept.)

Mr. Barrow (Rhodesia Pol. Dept.)

Mr. O'Leary (S. A. Dept.)

Mr. Ward (S. W. P. Dapt.)

Mr. Pugh (S. African Dept.)

Mr. Snodgrass (S. E. Dept.)

Mr. McKelvie (Trade Policy Dept.)

Mr. Moberly (W. African Dept.) Mr. Webster (W. I. Dept.)

(Separate Copies to each)

Commonwealth Finance Ministers' Meeting

Briefing Arrangements

I attach CFM(69) A1, a note by the Treasury on provisional briefing arrangements for the Commonwealth Finance Ministers' Meeting, and a copy of the agenda.

2. In addition to the briefs in section B and C, the Treasury have suggested background briefs on the proposal for an investment guarantee scheme for Singapore which they will write, and one on the Common- wealth implications of our joining the E.E.C. (in general terms, based on what has been said at e.g. meetings of Commonwealth Prime Ministers), which will be for us. The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, who will be leading the delegation, has also expressed interest in briefing on a range of political subjects, namely Rhodesia, Nigeria, U.K. policy on immigration, on the Caribbean and on the Asian problems in East Africa. Although it would be for our minister to take the lead should they be raised in discussion, any member of the delegation might be tackled in Private.

3. Of the briefs listed for which the F.C.O. is responsible, I shall be grateful if Conference section will prepare CFM(69) A2, F.P.A.D. will draft CFM(69) C5 with the help of interested geographical departments, and we will co-ordinate the preparation of CFM(69)D1 when we know the Heads of all delegations. I shall also be grateful if Departments will prepare defensive briefs on political subjects as follows:

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Rhodesia/