TNAG-0834-FCO40-1042-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Office-seminar-on-the-future-of-Bri-1979 — Page 114

Mr

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CODE 18-78

Ed 12/77

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Reference

198

Clarke Spoke toor R. He will lead Session ct.

I telephoned Dr Kenneth Robinson

this afternoon and found him rather reluctant to introduce the 4th session at the forthcoming seminar. His reluctance was founded on the fact that his experience is now so out-of-date, and he has not kept up with what is happening in the French Departements. He thought that what he had to say on the subject might well serve to kill discussion rather than the reverse. However he said if we were hard pressed to find someone suitable he would think again, if you would like to ring him up on Thursday or Friday.

2.

It appears Dr Robinson wrote a paper 25 years ago on "Alternatives to Independence", and he was much involved in the discussions about Malta joining in association with UK. He referred several times to a meeting he attended with Mr Luard in the FCO, a couple of MP's and a 'Legal Adviser who knew what he was talking about' he thought the meeting might have been in 1978. From the fileДt looks as though the paper at No.61 flagged below is the meeting to which Dr Robinson referred. As you will see the subject was mini-state representation at the UN rather than the subject of independence for the overseas territories.

3.

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I gained the impression that Dr Robinson might not in fact possess the required clarity to introduce the subject whereas he might well make a good first or second contribution to get the arguments moving.

1. Sorrell

5 September' 79

P.S. He thought it better to ring him early in the

day rather than late-be his visiting & may be out-