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to see what information could be provided. The Australian internal debate on these matters had a substantial emotional content. There had been complaints by ex-service personnel that they had been exposed to high levels of radiation - though there was no evidence of this. There had also been newspaper talk of secret trials. Most of the people engaged in this debate felt genuine concern and there was political need to alleviate it. He repated that the Australian Government appreciated the action taken by Britain.
The Prime Minister said that we had done all we could to provide appropriate assistance and had supplied full information except such as would contravene our obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Sir William Harding referred to the statement issued by the High Commission in Camberra on 4 May dealing explicitly with some of the points raised by Mr. Hayden.
After a brief and general discussion of arms control matters, Mr. Hayden said that he hoped that the British battle in the European Community to change the CAP would be successful. The CAP turned on their head the fundamental laws of international economics. The Prime Minister said that the struggle was difficult. European surpluses, like American surpluses, produced difficulties for Australia – as did the competition in subsidised exports. But we would continue to fight for change. It now seemed unlikely that a settlement of the budget issue would be achieved before the European elections.
I am copying this letter to Richard Mottram (Ministry of Defence).
Peter Ricketts Esq
Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
MF JAAG
Your ever
Joe Coles.
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