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Printed for the Cabinet. November 1955

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SECRET

C.P. (55) 172

Copy No.72

14th November, 1955

CABINET

MIDDLE EAST OIL

NOTE BY THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

I commend to my colleagues the attached report by officials, enclosing the first Interim Report of the Working Party which was set up in accordance with the decision of the Cabinet on 18th October to examine what further action should be taken to safeguard the free flow of oil supplies from the Middle East (C.M. (55) 35th Conclusions, Minute 6). The Report is summarised in the Middle East Oil Committee's Paper.

2. I ask my colleagues:

(i) to direct that the recommendations of the Report be carried out without

delay subject to decisions as (ii) and (iii) below;

(ii) to confirm that, to this end, it is their intention that there should be some additional expenditure on overseas Information (including the British Council) above what was contemplated before this Working Party was set up;

(iii) to take an early decision about the future of the British Council so as to enable them to carry out the necessary recruitment for the task which the Working Party recommend;

anouye for (iv) to direct that the Working Party should continue its work, and conduct the necessary discussions with the oil companies and with the United States Administration.

Foreign Office, S.W.1,

14th November, 1955.

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MEMORANDUM BY THE MIDDLE EAST OIL COMMITTEE