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on industrial and commercial matters, and we should mark this fact in the selection of our representative. But a business background is not in itself enough. If mistakes are to be avoided, it should be combined with some experience of international negotiation. Day-to-day political advice would be provided by the appointment of a Foreign Service officer to the delegation; but, in view of the importance of the work for our future relations with Western Europe, political sense must rank with industrial experience as an indispensable qualification. I propose that I should be authorised, in consultation with the other Ministers directly concerned, to select and appoint a candidate answering to this specification.

7.

Initially at least, the permanent staff of the Delegation should be kept small. Technical representatives from the Ministries of Supply and Fuel and Power will be indispensable. Other Departments have obvious interests: these might, I suggest, be covered as far as possible by visits from officials based in this country. Similarly, the need for advice from both management and labour in the two industries could be met by the appointment of assessors who would visit the delegation as required.

8.

I understand that consultations are proceeding, in accordance with E.A. (52) 36, with management and labour in the two industries, and with other joint advisory bodies. I trust that these consultations will be pursued in such a way as to permit the programme of action proposed above to proceed with due expedition.

9.

Summary of conclusions

I accordingly invite my colleagues to endorse the following conclusions:-

(a) That Ministerial responsibility for the United Kingdom Delegation

should rest with the Foreign Secretary (paragraph 4).

(b) That the Foreign Secretary should be advised by, and instruct the

delegation through, an interdepartmental committee to be established under Foreign Office chairmanship (paragraph 5).

(c) That the qualities required in the leader of the delegation are industrial

experience combined with political sense, and that I should be authorised, in consultation with the Ministers principally concerned, to select the best man available (paragraph 6).

(d) That the permanent staff of the delegation should be selected from the

Departments directly concerned, and should be reinforced as necessary by representatives of other Departments and by assessors from both sides of the two industries (paragraph 7).

Foreign Office, S. W.1.,

12TH JULY, 1952.

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