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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT

Page 366 Frinted for the Cabinet. July 1949

CONFIDENTIAL

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July 1949 Page 366 of 366.

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Copy No. 31

C.P. (49) 150

13th July, 1949

CABINET

ABBREVIATIONS

NOTE BY THE PRIME MINISTER

The increasing use of initials-for example, I.E.P.S. for the intra-European payments scheme and similar abbreviations-for example, ECOSOC for Economic and Social Council-imposes an unnecessary strain upon busy Ministers, who cannot be expected to be familiar with all these abbreviations.

If it is necessary that such abbreviations should be used in papers circulated to the Cabinet or its Ministerial Committees, the full title should always be given on the first mention, with the abbreviated version following in brackets. Thus, if the first mention takes the form: "the intra-European payments scheme (I.E.P.S.). it is permissible that, if necessary in the interests of brevity, - subsequent references should be to "I.E.P.S."

""

I recognise that some inconvenience might be caused if this rule were applied universally to all official documents. These abbreviations are doubtless a useful form of shorthand for officials immersed in the technicalities of a particular subject. But, even those officials should remember that some of their documents- telegrams, in particular are circulated for information to a wider circle which will include Ministers and others who are less familiar with these technicalities. All responsible for drafting such documents should therefore keep this point in mind, and should be sparing in their use of these abbreviations in contexts where their meaning is not obviously apparent.

I should be glad if Ministers would give instructions accordingly.

10 Downing Street, S.W. 1,

13th July, 1949.

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C. R. A.