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THIS D O C U M E N T IS T H E P R O P E R T Y O F H E M B R I T A N N I C M A J E S T Y ' S G O V E R N M E N T
Printed
for the Cabinet.
April 1956
Copy No.
SECRET
CM.
(56)
27th Conclusions
CABINET
CONCLUSIONS
of a Meeting of the Cabinet held at 10 Downing
on Tuesday, 10th April, 1956, at 11 a.m.
Street,
S.W. 1.
Present:
T h e R i g h t H o n . Sir A N T H O N Y E D E N , M . P . , P r i m e M i n i s t e r
T h e M o s t H o n . t h e M A R Q U E S S OF
SALISBURY, L o r d P r e s i d e n t of t h e
Council.
T h e R i g h t H o n . H A R O L D MACMILLAN,
M . P . , C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r .
T h e Right Hon. SELWYN LLOYD, Q.C.,
M . P . , S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n
Affairs.
T h e R i g h t H o n . JAMES STUART, M . P . ,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r S c o t l a n d .
T h e R i g h t H o n . Sir W A L T E R M O N C K T O N ,
Q.C., M . P . , M i n i s t e r of D e f e n c e .
T h e R i g h t H o n . P E T E R THORNEYCROFT,
M . P . , P r e s i d e n t of t h e B o a r d of T r a d e .
T h e R i g h t H o n . Sir D A V I D E C C L E S , M . P . ,
M i n i s t e r of E d u c a t i o n .
T h e R i g h t H o n . t h e E A R L O F SELKIRK,
C h a n c e l l o r of t h e D u c h y of L a n c a s t e r .
T h e R i g h t H o n . R . A . BUTLER, M.P.,
L o r d Privy Seal.
T h e Right H o n . t h e VISCOUNT KILMUIR,
Lord Chancellor.
The
Right H o n . GWILYM LLOYDGEORGE, M . P . , S e c r e t a r y of State f o r
the H o m e D e p a r t m e n t a n d Minister
for W e l s h Affairs.
T h e Right H o n . t h e EARL OF HOME,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r C o m m o n w e a l t h
Relations.
T h e Right H o n . D U N C A N SANDYS, M.P.,
Minister
of H o u s i n g
a n d Local
Government.
T h e R i g h t H o n . D . HEATHCOAT AMORY,
M.P.,
Minister
of
Agriculture,
Fisheries a n d F o o d .
The
Right
Hon.
IAIN M A C L E O D , M . P . ,
M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r a n d N a t i o n a l
Service.
T h e R i g h t H o n . PATRICK B U C H A N H E P B U R N , M . P . , M i n i s t e r of W o r k s .
T h e following w e r e also p r e s e n t :
T h e Right H o n . JOHN BOYD-CARPENTER,
M . P . , M i n i s t e r of P e n s i o n s a n d
N a t i o n a l I n s u r a n c e (Item 5).
Dr. the Right H o n . CHARLES HILL, M.P.,
P o s t m a s t e r - G e n e r a l (Item 6).
T h e R i g h t H o n . Sir R E G I N A L D M A N N I N G HAM-BULLER,
Q.C., M.P., Attorney-
G e n e r a l (Item
8).
T h e Right H o n . HAROLD WATKINSON,
M . P . , M i n i s t e r of T r a n s p o r t a n d Civil
A v i a t i o n (Item 9).
The
Right
Hon.
Secretariat:
T h e R i g h t H o n . Sir N O R M A N B R O O K .
Mr. P . R. ODGERS.
JOHN
HARE,
M.P.,
M i n i s t e r of S t a t e f o r C o l o n i a l Affairs
(Item 7).
T h e Right Hon. E D W A R D HEATH, M.P.,
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury.
4
CONTENTS
Subject
Middle East
Arab-Israel D i s p u t e .
Disarmament
Parliament
Parliament
...
...
R e m u n e r a t i o n of M e m b e r s .
Family Allowances
P o s t Office F i n a n c e
International Labour Organisation
Capital Punishment
British T r a n s p o r t C o m m i s s i o n
Kashmir
Middle
East.
(Previous
Reference:
C M . (56) 2 4 t h
Conclusions,
M i n u t e 5.)
Arab-Israel
Dispute.
1. The Foreign Secretary
said t h a t d u r i n g t h e p a s t few d a y s
t h e r e h a d b e e n a series of frontier i n c i d e n t s b e t w e e n E g y p t i a n a n d
Israeli t r o o p s in t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d of G a z a . T h e S e c r e t a r y - G e n e r a l
of t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s h a d b e e n i n s t r u c t e d b y t h e S e c u r i t y C o u n c i l
t o u n d e r t a k e a m i s s i o n t o the A r a b States a n d I s r a e l w i t h a view to
p r e v e n t i n g a n y e x t e n s i o n of hostilities. I n s u p p o r t of this a c t i o n b y
the United N a t i o n s President Eisenhower h a d issued a formal
s t a t e m e n t t h a t t h e U n i t e d States w o u l d o b s e r v e its c o m m i t m e n t s
w i t h i n c o n s t i t u t i o n a l m e a n s t o o p p o s e a n y aggression in this a r e a ,
a n d w a s likewise d e t e r m i n e d t o s u p p o r t a n d assist a n y n a t i o n w h i c h
m i g h t be s u b j e c t e d t o s u c h aggression.
T h e F o r e i g n S e c r e t a r y said t h a t t h e r e w a s s o m e a m b i g u i t y a b o u t
this s t a t e m e n t . I t m i g h t m e a n t h a t t h e U n i t e d States G o v e r n m e n t
w e r e seeking t o p l a c e m o r e e m p h a s i s o n U n i t e d N a t i o n s a c t i o n t h a n
o n action u n d e r t h e T r i p a r t i t e D e c l a r a t i o n of 1950. I n m o s t q u a r t e r s ,
h o w e v e r , it h a d b e e n a c c e p t e d as a firm s t a t e m e n t c a l c u l a t e d t o deter
f u r t h e r a g g r e s s i o n b y either p a r t y t o this d i s p u t e . H e t h e r e f o r e
r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t a p u b l i c s t a t e m e n t s h o u l d at o n c e b e m a d e o n
behalf of t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m G o v e r n m e n t in w h i c h w e w o u l d
w a r m l y w e l c o m e P r e s i d e n t E i s e n h o w e r s d e c l a r a t i o n a n d associate
ourselves w i t h it. H e w o u l d a t the s a m e t i m e tell t h e U n i t e d States
G o v e r n m e n t p r i v a t e l y t h a t w e w e r e a s s u m i n g t h a t this d e c l a r a t i o n
a p p l i e d b o t h t o a c t i o n w i t h i n t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s a n d to a c t i o n u n d e r
the T r i p a r t i t e D e c l a r a t i o n .
The Cabinet approved the Foreign Secretary's proposals.
discussion t h e following p o i n t s w e r e r a i s e d : —
In
(a) W e s h o u l d b e careful to avoid c o m m i t t i n g ourselves t o a n y
u n i l a t e r a l a c t i o n u n d e r t h e T r i p a r t i t e D e c l a r a t i o n . I n this m a t t e r
w e s h o u l d b e r e a d y t o d o n o less t h a n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ; b u t , if they
w e r e in fact m o v i n g a w a y f r o m a policy of a c t i o n u n d e r the
D e c l a r a t i o n to o n e of a c t i o n w i t h i n t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s , w e s h o u l d
h o l d ourselves free to c o n f o r m with t h a t m o v e m e n t . O u r objective
w a s t o p r e v e n t a n o u t b r e a k of hostilities. T h e r e w o u l d b e little
p u b l i c e n t h u s i a s m in this c o u n t r y for t h e e m p l o y m e n t of British
t r o o p s , o n either side, in a w a r b e t w e e n A r a b s a n d Israelis.
(b) If t h e p r e s e n t tension in the. G a z a S t r i p led to w a r , it m i g h t
b e difficult t o d e t e r m i n e w h i c h side w a s the aggressor. T h e C a b i n e t
w e r e i n f o r m e d t h a t it w a s the U n i t e d S t a t e s ' i n t e n t i o n , in t h a t event,
to i n v o k e t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s p r o c e d u r e u n d e r w h i c h b o t h sides w o u l d
b e invited t o d i s e n g a g e their t r o o p s . U n d e r t h a t p r o c e d u r e , if either
side failed t o act o n s u c h an i n v i t a t i o n f r o m t h e S e c u r i t y C o u n c i l , it
w o u l d b e d e e m e d t o b e t h e aggressor.
(c) The Foreign
Secretary
said t h a t h e m i g h t b e a s k e d in
P a r l i a m e n t w h a t p l a n s h a d b e e n m a d e for m i l i t a r y a c t i o n in this area
o n behalf of the G o v e r n m e n t s of the U n i t e d K i n g d o m a n d t h e U n i t e d
States. T h e U n i t e d States G o v e r n m e n t w o u l d b e unwilling t o
a u t h o r i s e a n y reference t o joint m i l i t a r y p l a n n i n g . H e w a s , t h e r e f o r e ,
disposed t o say t h a t p l a n n i n g w a s well a d v a n c e d t o d i s c h a r g e the
obligations u n d e r t a k e n b y the U n i t e d K i n g d o m G o v e r n m e n t , w h e t h e r
u n d e r the U n i t e d N a t i o n s or u n d e r t h e T r i p a r t i t e D e c l a r a t i o n .
I n discussion it w a s p o i n t e d o u t t h a t , while t h e military
possibilities h a d b e e n reviewed, little p r o g r e s s h a d b e e n m a d e in
f o r m u l a t i n g a c t u a l military p l a n s . T h e m i l i t a r y c o n v e r s a t i o n s in
W a s h i n g t o n h a d h i t h e r t o p r o c e e d e d slowly, t h o u g h t h e r e w e r e n o w
s o m e signs of a g r e a t e r sense of u r g e n c y o n the A m e r i c a n side. It
s e e m e d p r e f e r a b l e t h e r e f o r e t h a t the F o r e i g n S e c r e t a r y s h o u l d decline
t o b e d r a w n i n t o discussion of the s t a t e of m i l i t a r y p l a n n i n g . T h e
F r e n c h G o v e r n m e n t m i g h t n o w , h o w e v e r , b e a s k e d w h a t a c t i o n they
w o u l d b e p r e p a r e d to t a k e u n d e r t h e T r i p a r t i t e D e c l a r a t i o n .
The
F o r e i g n S e c r e t a r y c o u l d t h e n at least s a y t h a t c o n s u l t a t i o n s w e r e
p r o c e e d i n g b e t w e e n t h e t h r e e parties t o t h e D e c l a r a t i o n .
(d) T h e best p r a c t i c a l s t e p w h i c h c o u l d be t a k e n t o r e d u c e t h e
risk of hostilities in this a r e a w a s t o a r r a n g e for s o m e f u r t h e r s u p p l y
of a r m s t o i n c r e a s e t h e defensive s t r e n g t h of Israel. S o m e f u r t h e r
fighter aircraft w e r e b e i n g s u p p l i e d t o t h e m f r o m this c o u n t r y a n d
f r o m F r a n c e , a n d s o m e m i g h t also b e sent f r o m C a n a d a . I n a d d i t i o n ,
t h e Israelis h a d r e c e n t l y a s k e d if w e c o u l d s e n d t h e m s o m e C e n t u r i o n
t a n k s . I t did n o t , h o w e v e r , s e e m d e s i r a b l e t h a t w e s h o u l d s u p p l y
offensive w e a p o n s to t h e Israelis in p r e s e n t c i r c u m s t a n c e s , especially
in view of t h e c u r r e n t s i t u a t i o n in J o r d a n . I t w o u l d b e b e t t e r t o
e x p l o r e t h e possibility of p r o v i d i n g t h e m w i t h s o m e a n t i - t a n k
weapons.
(e) W e s h o u l d for t h e p r e s e n t a v o i d a n y p u b l i c a d m i s s i o n t h a t
f u r t h e r supplies of a r m s w e r e b e i n g s e n t t o Israel. T h i s w a s a r e a s o n
for a v o i d i n g , if p o s s i b l e , a n e a r l y d e b a t e in t h e H o u s e of C o m m o n s
on the situation in the Middle East. This consideration might be
b r o u g h t t o t h e n o t i c e of t h e L e a d e r of t h e O p p o s i t i o n .
The Cabinet—
(1) A u t h o r i s e d t h e F o r e i g n S e c r e t a r y to issue a p u b l i c s t a t e m e n t
welcoming the declaration m a d e by President Eisenhower
o n t h e d i s p u t e b e t w e e n E g y p t a n d Israel.
(2) T o o k n o t e of t h e steps w h i c h t h e F o r e i g n S e c r e t a r y w a s
p r o p o s i n g t o t a k e t o e n s u r e c o n f o r m i t y of policy a n d
a c t i o n in this m a t t e r b y t h e G o v e r n m e n t s of t h e U n i t e d
States a n d t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m .
Disarmament.
(Previous
:
C M . (55) 31st
Reference
Conclusions,
M i n u t e 6.)
2. The Foreign Secretary
i n f o r m e d t h e C a b i n e t of t h e c o u r s e
of t h e discussions at t h e c u r r e n t m e e t i n g of t h e D i s a r m a m e n t S u b C o m m i t t e e of t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s . T h e Soviet G o v e r n m e n t h a d n o w
p r o d u c e d a n e w d i s a r m a m e n t p l a n , w h i c h they w o u l d d o u b t l e s s seek
t o e x p l o i t in their p r o p a g a n d a . H e t h e r e f o r e t h o u g h t it d e s i r a b l e t h a t
h e s h o u l d m a k e a s t a t e m e n t in t h e H o u s e of C o m m o n s , in r e p l y t o
Q u e s t i o n s w h i c h h a d b e e n t a b l e d for a n s w e r o n t h e f o l l o w i n g d a y ,
p u t t i n g this p l a n i n t o p r o p e r p e r s p e c t i v e a n d d r a w i n g a t t e n t i o n t o
its m a i n defects. I t l a c k e d p r e c i s i o n o n t h e vital q u e s t i o n of c o n t r o l ,
a n d it c o n t a i n e d n o p r o v i s i o n for n u c l e a r d i s a r m a m e n t .
I n discussion misgivings w e r e e x p r e s s e d a b o u t t h e t u r n w h i c h
the discussions in t h e D i s a r m a m e n t S u b - C o m m i t t e e w e r e t a k i n g .
F r o m o u r p o i n t of v i e w it w a s i m p o r t a n t t h a t n o i n t e r n a t i o n a l
a g r e e m e n t p r o h i b i t i n g o r limiting t h e m a n u f a c t u r e of n u c l e a r w e a p o n s
s h o u l d c o m e i n t o force u n t i l w e o u r s e l v e s h a d a d e q u a t e s t o c k s of
these w e a p o n s . H i t h e r t o o u r p o s i t i o n in this r e s p e c t h a d b e e n
s a f e g u a r d e d b y t h e r e l u c t a n c e of t h e Soviet G o v e r n m e n t t o r e a c h a n y
a g r e e m e n t for t h e l i m i t a t i o n of c o n v e n t i o n a l a r m a m e n t s . O u r flank
w o u l d , h o w e v e r , b e t u r n e d if t h e R u s s i a n s p r o d u c e d a c c e p t a b l e
p r o p o s a l s for l i m i t a t i o n of c o n v e n t i o n a l a r m a m e n t s ; for w e s h o u l d
t h e n b e subject t o h e a v y p r e s s u r e t o a c c e p t p r o h i b i t i o n of f u r t h e r
m a n u f a c t u r e of n u c l e a r w e a p o n s .
I n f u r t h e r d i s c u s s i o n it w a s a r g u e d t h a t i n t e r n a t i o n a l a g r e e m e n t
o n a c o m p r e h e n s i v e p l a n of d i s a r m a m e n t w a s unlikely t o b e r e a c h e d
for several y e a r s . M e a n w h i l e , w e s h o u l d c o n t i n u e t o p r e s s for a
c o m p r e h e n s i v e p l a n a n d effective m a c h i n e r y for c o n t r o l .
The Cabinet—
I n v i t e d t h e F o r e i g n S e c r e t a r y t o c o n s i d e r , in t h e light of t h e
C a b i n e f s discussion a n d in c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h t h e L o r d
P r e s i d e n t a n d t h e M i n i s t e r of D e f e n c e , t h e t e r m s of t h e
s t a t e m e n t o n d i s a r m a m e n t w h i c h h e p r o p o s e d t o m a k e in
t h e H o u s e of C o m m o n s o n t h e following d a y , a n d t o s u b m i t
t h e draft of this s t a t e m e n t for t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r s a p p r o v a l .
Parliament.
3. T h e C a b i n e t w e r e i n f o r m e d of t h e b u s i n e s s t o b e t a k e n in t h e
H o u s e of C o m m o n s in t h e following w e e k .
T h e C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r w o u l d o p e n his B u d g e t o n
17th A p r i l . T h e g e n e r a l d e b a t e o n t h e B u d g e t r e s o l u t i o n s a n d o n t h e
e c o n o m i c s i t u a t i o n w o u l d b e h e l d o n 18th a n d 19th A p r i l , a n d w o u l d
be concluded on 23rd April.
Parliament.
Remuneration
of M e m b e r s .
(Previous
Reference :
C M . (56) 2 2 n d
Conclusions,
M i n u t e 5.)
4. The Lord Privy Seal said t h a t t h e r e h a d b e e n s o m e p r e m a t u r e
disclosure to t h e P r e s s , a p p a r e n t l y f r o m O p p o s i t i o n s o u r c e s , a b o u t
t h e p r o j e c t w h i c h h e h a d m e n t i o n e d t o t h e C a b i n e t o n 13th M a r c h
for d e a l i n g s i m u l t a n e o u s l y w i t h t h e r e m u n e r a t i o n of M e m b e r s of
t h e H o u s e of C o m m o n s , salaries of j u n i o r M i n i s t e r s a n d e x p e n s e
a l l o w a n c e s for P e e r s . T h i s disclosure m i g h t i m p a i r t h e p r o s p e c t s of
p e r s u a d i n g G o v e r n m e n t s u p p o r t e r s t o a c c e p t this project. H e w o u l d
h a v e t o t a k e f u r t h e r s o u n d i n g s a b o u t this a m o n g G o v e r n m e n t
s u p p o r t e r s . It w a s , h o w e v e r , u n l i k e l y t h a t early a c t i o n c o u l d n o w
b e t a k e n o n t h e lines w h i c h h e h a d p r e v i o u s y envisaged.
T h e r e w a s g e n e r a l a g r e e m e n t t h a t it w a s u r g e n t l y necessary to
i n c r e a s e t h e salaries of j u n i o r M i n i s t e r s a n d t h a t it w a s desirable t h a t
the whole project should be carried through before Parliament rose
for t h e s u m m e r recess. I n t h e m e a n t i m e e v e r y effort s h o u l d b e m a d e
t o p r e v e n t G o v e r n m e n t s u p p o r t e r s f r o m voicing o p p o s i t i o n t o it.
Family
Allowances.
:
(Previous
Reference :
C M . (56) 14th
Conclusions,
and
C M . (56) 24th
Conclusions,
Minute 8.0
*5. T h e C a b i n e t c o n s i d e r e d a m e m o r a n d u m b y the C h a n c e l l o r
of t h e E x c h e q u e r ( C P . (56) 95) o n f a m i l y a l l o w a n c e s a n d t h e b r e a d
subsidy.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer
said t h a t h e w i s h e d t o a n n o u n c e
in his B u d g e t s t a t e m e n t t h a t the r e m a i n d e r of t h e b r e a d subsidy w o u l d
b e d i s c o n t i n u e d o n a definite d a t e l a t e r in t h e y e a r . T h e effect of
this o n p e o p l e w i t h l a r g e r families c o u l d be m i t i g a t e d by a n increase
in family a l l o w a n c e s . T h e G o v e r n m e n t h a d a l r e a d y d e c i d e d to pass
a F a m i l y A l l o w a n c e s Bill d u r i n g t h e c u r r e n t s e s s i o n ; a n d h e p r o p o s e d
t h a t t h e o p p o r t u n i t y s h o u l d b e t a k e n t o i n c l u d e in this Bill p r o v i s i o n
for i n c r e a s i n g family a l l o w a n c e b y 2s. a w e e k for t h i r d a n d
s u b s e q u e n t c h i l d r e n . T h e cost of this i n c r e a s e w o u l d b e a b o u t
£10 millions i n a full y e a r . T h e d i s c o n t i n u a n c e of t h e r e m a i n d e r of
t h e b r e a d subsidy w o u l d s a v e £20 millions in a full year. H e h o p e d
t h a t b o t h c h a n g e s c o u l d c o m e i n t o effect o n 1st O c t o b e r .
I n discussion t h e following p o i n t s w e r e - m a d e : —
(a) T h i s c h a n g e m i g h t n o t b e specially p o p u l a r with G o v e r n m e n t
s u p p o r t e r s , b u t it w a s s o u n d social policy.
(b) T h i s p r o p o s a l , t h o u g h it w o u l d a d d little t o its length, w o u l d
i n c r e a s e t h e i m p o r t a n c e of t h e F a m i l y A l l o w a n c e s Bill; a n d if t h e
c h a n g e w a s t o c o m e i n t o o p e r a t i o n b y 1st O c t o b e r , the Bill w o u l d
n e e d t o b e p a s s e d b e f o r e t h e s u m m e r recess.
(c) The Minister
of Pensions
said t h a t , if t o o m u c h e m p h a s i s
w e r e laid o n t h e link b e t w e e n t h e i n c r e a s e i n family a l l o w a n c e s a n d
t h e d i s c o n t i n u a n c e of t h e b r e a d s u b s i d y , this w o u l d s h a r p e n t h e
d e m a n d for a similar c o n c e s s i o n t o p e n s i o n e r s .
(d) The Minister of Education
said t h a t , in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e
c u r r e n t review of t h e f u t u r e t r e n d of e x p e n d i t u r e o n t h e social
services, h e h a d b e e n c o n s i d e r i n g p l a n s for r e d u c i n g t h e subsidy o n
t h e s c h o o l m e a l s service. T h i s service h a d a l w a y s b e e n linked w i t h
family a l l o w a n c e s ; a n d it w o u l d b e e x p e c t e d t h a t a n y s u b s t a n t i a l
* Originally recorded in a Confidential
Annex.
r e d u c t i o n in this s u b s i d y s h o u l d b e a c c o m p a n i e d b y s o m e c o m ­
p e n s a t i n g i n c r e a s e in family a l l o w a n c e s . T h i s e x p e c t a t i o n w o u l d
b e e n h a n c e d if t h e d i s c o n t i n u a n c e of t h e b r e a d s u b s i d y h a d p r e v i o u s l y
b e e n l i n k e d w i t h a n i n c r e a s e in family a l l o w a n c e s . I n these c i r c u m ­
s t a n c e s it m i g h t b e w o r t h c o n s i d e r i n g w h e t h e r c h a n g e s in t h e s c h o o l
m e a l s service c o u l d n o t also be a n n o u n c e d in t h e B u d g e t s t a t e m e n t ,
t o g e t h e r w i t h a s o m e w h a t larger i n c r e a s e in family a l l o w a n c e s t h a n
t h a t n o w p r o p o s e d b y t h e C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r .
The Cabinet—
(1) A g r e e d in p r i n c i p l e t h a t t h e r e m a i n d e r of t h e b r e a d s u b s i d y
s h o u l d b e d i s c o n t i n u e d f r o m 1st O c t o b e r , 1956, a n d t h a t
s o m e c h a n g e in family a l l o w a n c e s s h o u l d b e b r o u g h t i n t o
o p e r a t i o n a t the s a m e t i m e in o r d e r t o offset the effect o n
p e o p l e w i t h l a r g e r families.
(2) I n v i t e d t h e C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r t o c o n s i d e r , in
c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h the L o r d P r i v y Seal, t h e M i n i s t e r of
E d u c a t i o n a n d t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for S c o t l a n d ,
w h e t h e r it w o u l d be e x p e d i e n t to e n l a r g e this s c h e m e s o
as t o c o v e r at t h e s a m e t i m e t h e c h a n g e s w h i c h w e r e n o w
c o n t e m p l a t e d in t h e s c h o o l m e a l s service.
P o s t Office
Finance.
(Previous
Reference :
C M . (55) 35th
Conclusions,
M i n u t e 8.)
6. T h e C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m a
P o s t m a s t e r - G e n e r a l ( C P . (56) 94) s u b m i t t i n g
the a d d i t i o n a l e x p e n s e s of £ 2 0 millions w h i c h
Office as a result of r e c e n t increases in w a g e s
costs.
m e m o r a n d u m by the
p r o p o s a l s for m e e t i n g
w o u l d fall o n t h e P o s t
a n d salaries a n d o t h e r
The Postmaster-General
said t h a t h e h o p e d in t h e c o m i n g y e a r
t o p r o v i d e £5 millions t o w a r d s this i n c r e a s e b y m e a n s of e c o n o m i e s ,
i n c r e a s e d efficiency a n d r e d u c t i o n of his b u d g e t a r y s u r p l u s .
His
p r o p o s a l s for finding t h e r e m a i n i n g £15 millions w e r e set o u t i n
A p p e n d i x A t o C P . (56) 94. T h e first q u e s t i o n for decision b y t h e
C a b i n e t w a s w h e t h e r t h e o r d i n a r y letter p o s t a g e s h o u l d b e r a i s e d
f r o m 2\d. to 3d. o r w h e t h e r increases s h o u l d b e m a d e in t h e r a t e s
of p r i n t e d p a p e r s a n d s a m p l e s . T h e f o r m e r m e a s u r e w o u l d raise
£ 6 m i l l i o n s , b u t t h e P o s t Office w e r e a l r e a d y m a k i n g a n a n n u a l profit
of £ 1 0 m i l l i o n s o n t h e letter p o s t a g e , a n d a n a n n u a l loss of £4 m i l l i o n s
o n p r i n t e d p a p e r s a n d s a m p l e s . T o i n c r e a s e t h e c h a r g e s for b o t h
c a t e g o r i e s w o u l d m e a n raising m o r e m o n e y f r o m the p o s t a l side t h a n
w a s necessary.
T o i n c r e a s e the letter p o s t a g e w o u l d t a k e t i m e
b e c a u s e of the p r e p a r a t i o n s involved. It w o u l d also be difficult
politically. F o r t h e s e r e a s o n s h e w o u l d prefer t o i n c r e a s e t h e r a t e
for p r i n t e d p a p e r s a n d s a m p l e s , w h i c h w o u l d yield £ 3 - 9 millions in
the coming year.
T h e C a b i n e t a g r e e d t h a t t h e o r d i n a r y letter p o s t a g e s h o u l d n o t
b e i n c r e a s e d . I t w a s c o n f i r m e d t h a t n o i n c r e a s e w o u l d be m a d e in
t h e o v e r s e a s r a t e s for p r i n t e d p a p e r s a n d s a m p l e s .
The Postmaster-General
said t h a t t h e o t h e r p o i n t o n w h i c h h e
would welcome guidance was whether the p o u n d a g e rates on postal
o r d e r s s h o u l d b e i n c r e a s e d . I n A n n e x A of C P . (56) 94 it w a s
s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e r a t e for 6d. a n d I s . p o s t a l o r d e r s s h o u l d b e r a i s e d
t o 2d. a n d t h a t t h e r a t e for o r d e r s for Is. 6d. t o 5s. s h o u l d b e r a i s e d
t o 3d. T h i s m i g h t c a u s e a b r i s k p u b l i c r e a c t i o n , since p o s t a l o r d e r s
of l o w v a l u e w e r e m u c h u s e d in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h c o m p e t i t i o n s a n d
b e t t i n g . I t w o u l d b e possible t o r a i s e t h e £1 million e x t r a r e v e n u e
r e q u i r e d b y m a k i n g a f u r t h e r i n c r e a s e in t h e c h e a p e v e n i n g r a t e for
t r u n k t e l e p h o n e calls.
T h e cheap evening rate was causing
i n c r e a s i n g l y h e a v y traffic,requiring p r o v i s i o n of a d d i t i o n a l t r u n k lines.
I t w o u l d b e justifiable t o r e m o v e t h e m a x i m u m limit of Is. p r o p o s e d
in C P . (56) 9 4 : this w o u l d m e a n in p r a c t i c e a m a x i m u m c h a r g e of
2s. 6d. for c h e a p e v e n i n g t r u n k calls.
7
C M . 27 (56)
T h e r e w a s g e n e r a l a g r e e m e n t t h a t n o i n c r e a s e s h o u l d be m a d e in
the p o u n d a g e on postal orders and that the necessary m o n e y should
be f o u n d b y increasing t h e r e v e n u e f r o m c h e a p e v e n i n g t r u n k calls.
The Cabinet—
(1) A p p r o v e d t h e p r o p o s a l s for i n c r e a s e d t e l e p h o n e a n d p o s t a l
c h a r g e s p u t f o r w a r d in C P . (56) 94, subject t o t h e d e l e t i o n
of t h e p r o p o s e d increases in t h e p o u n d a g e o n p o s t a l o r d e r s
a n d t o t h e r e m o v a l of t h e u p p e r limit of 2s. o n t h e cost
of t r u n k t e l e p h o n e calls at t h e c h e a p e v e n i n g r a t e .
(2) A u t h o r i s e d t h e P o s t m a s t e r - G e n e r a l t o m a k e a s u m m a r y
a n n o u n c e m e n t of t h e s e c h a n g e s o n 11th A p r i l , in a r e p l y
to a P a r l i a m e n t a r y Q u e s t i o n , a n d t o c i r c u l a t e t h e full
details in t h e Official R e c o r d .
International
Labour
Organisation.
(Previous
Reference :
C.C. (54) 9th
Conclusions,
M i n u t e 12.)
7. T h e C a b i n e t h a d b e f o r e t h e m a m e m o r a n d u m b y t h e
M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r ( C P . (56) 93) r e g a r d i n g a n I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a b o u r
C o n v e n t i o n ( N o . 101) o n h o l i d a y s w i t h p a y for a g r i c u l t u r a l w o r k e r s .
The Minister
of Labour
recalled t h a t in F e b r u a r y , 1954 t h e
C a b i n e t h a d decided n o t t o ratify this C o n v e n t i o n o n t h e g r o u n d t h a t
t h e p o w e r s of A g r i c u l t u r a l W a g e s B o a r d s t o fix h o l i d a y s w i t h p a y
w e r e n o t o b l i g a t o r y a n d t h a t , a l t h o u g h t h e B o a r d s h a d in fact
exercised t h e s e p o w e r s , it m i g h t b e t h o u g h t i n c o n s i s t e n t w i t h their
d i s c r e t i o n for t h e G o v e r n m e n t t o a s s u m e a n o b l i g a t i o n t o e n f o r c e
the Convention.
The Trades U n i o n Congress had subsequently
a s k e d t h a t this decision s h o u l d b e r e c o n s i d e r e d b e c a u s e of t h e e x t e n t
t o w h i c h it w a s b e i n g m i s r e p r e s e n t e d b y C o m m u n i s t - d o m i n a t e d
o r g a n i s a t i o n s a b r o a d . I n view of this t h e M i n i s t e r n o w r e c o m m e n d e d
t h a t t h e G o v e r n m e n t s h o u l d ratify t h e C o n v e n t i o n .
The Minister of State for Colonial Affairs said t h a t t h e C o l o n i a l
Office s u p p o r t e d this p r o p o s a l . T h e a p p l i c a t i o n of t h e C o n v e n t i o n to
C o l o n i a l t e r r i t o r i e s c o u l d b e m a d e d e p e n d e n t o n local c o n d i t i o n s .
The Cabinet—
(1) A g r e e d t h a t t h e G o v e r n m e n t s h o u l d ratify t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l
L a b o u r C o n v e n t i o n ( N o . 101) o n h o l i d a y s w i t h p a y for
agricultural workers.
(2) I n v i t e d t h e M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r t o c o n s i d e r w h e t h e r t h e
a n n o u n c e m e n t of this decision n e e d b e m a d e b y p r e s e n t a ­
t i o n of a W h i t e P a p e r o r w h e t h e r it w o u l d suffice t o m a k e
a s h o r t s t a t e m e n t in reply to a P a r l i a m e n t a r y Q u e s t i o n .
Capital
Punishment.
(Previous
Reference:
C M . (56) 20th
Conclusions,
Minute 2.)
8. T h e C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m a m e m o r a n d u m b y t h e H o m e
S e c r e t a r y a n d t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for S c o t l a n d ( C P . (56) 92) o n
the attitude which the Government should take towards amendments
t o b e m o v e d d u r i n g t h e C o m m i t t e e Stage of t h e D e a t h P e n a l t y
( A b o l i t i o n ) Bill.
I n t h e c o u r s e of a p r e l i m i n a r y discussion s o m e d o u b t s w e r e
e x p r e s s e d a b o u t t h e specific r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s m a d e in p a r a g r a p h 15
of this m e m o r a n d u m .
T h u s , while it w a s d e s i r a b l e t h a t t h e
G o v e r n m e n t s h o u l d s h o w their r e a d i n e s s t o p r o t e c t p o l i c e m e n a n d
p r i s o n officers f r o m t h e risk of violence, t h e r e t e n t i o n of c a p i t a l
p u n i s h m e n t as a p e n a l t y for m u r d e r s of specified classes of p e r s o n s
w o u l d i n t r o d u c e i n t o t h e l a w t h e c o n c e p t i o n of degrees of m u r d e r , t o
w h i c h t h e G o v e r n m e n t h a d h i t h e r t o b e e n o p p o s e d . M o r e o v e r , if in
r e l a t i o n t o t h e s e or o t h e r a m e n d m e n t s t h e G o v e r n m e n t g a v e definite
a d v i c e t o t h e H o u s e , t h e y w o u d find t h e m s e l v e s in a n e m b a r r a s s i n g
p o s i t i o n if o n a free v o t e t h e decision w e n t a g a i n s t t h e advice w h i c h
they h a d given. O p i n i o n o n this q u e s t i o n in t h e H o u s e of C o m m o n s
w a s c h a n g i n g , a n d s o m e of t h e G o v e r n m e n t s u p p o r t e r s w h o h a d
p r e v i o u s l y f a v o u r e d a b o l i t i o n w e r e n o w p r e p a r e d t o consider s o m e
compromise.
S o m e of t h e m , for e x a m p l e , h a d i n d i c a t e d t h e i r
r e a d i n e s s t o a c c e p t t h e a m e n d m e n t t a b l e d b y Sir H u g h L u c a s - T o o t h ,
w h i c h w o u l d h a v e t h e effect t h a t c a p i t a l p u n i s h m e n t w o u l d b e r e t a i n e d
for m u r d e r c o m m i t t e d b y a l e t h a l w e a p o n i n t h e c o u r s e of b u r g l a r y ,
h o u s e - b r e a k i n g or r o b b e r y , o r b y a p r i s o n e r serving a life sentence.
A c c e p t a n c e of this a m e n d m e n t w o u l d , h o w e v e r , l e a v e t h e law in a n
a n o m a l o u s c o n d i t i o n . T h e p r o m o t e r of t h e Bill m i g h t i n d e e d r e g a r d
it as a w r e c k i n g a m e n d m e n t a n d , if it w e r e c a r r i e d , m i g h t decide n o t
t o p r o c e e d f u r t h e r w i t h t h e Bill.
After some further
decisions c o u l d b e t a k e n
L o r d Privy Seal s h o u l d
c o n c e r n e d t h e tactics for
discussion t h e C a b i n e t a g r e e d t h a t , b e f o r e
o n t h e q u e s t i o n s r a i s e d i n C P . (56) 92, t h e
discuss w i t h t h e M i n i s t e r s m o s t directly
h a n d l i n g t h e C o m m i t t e e S t a g e of this Bill.
The Cabinet—
(1) I n v i t e d t h e L o r d P r i v y Seal t o discuss t h e tactics for h a n d l i n g
t h e C o m m i t t e e Stage of this Bill w i t h t h e L o r d C h a n c e l l o r ,
t h e H o m e S e c r e t a r y , t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for S c o t l a n d ,
t h e A t t o r n e y - G e n e r a l a n d t h e Chief W h i p .
(2) A g r e e d t o r e s u m e their discussion of this q u e s t i o n at a later
meeting.
British
Transport
Commission
(Previous
Reference:
C M . (56) 23rd
Conclusions.
M i n u t e 5.)
9, The Minister of Transport
recalled t h a t at their meeting o n
13th M a r c h t h e C a b i n e t h a d a g r e e d t h a t one-half of t h e increases in
freight c h a r g e s p r o p o s e d b y t h e B r i t i s h T r a n s p o r t C o m m i s s i o n s h o u l d
b e d e f e r r e d for a n e x p e r i m e n t a l p e r i o d of six m o n t h s , after w h i c h
the G o v e r n m e n t w o u l d r e v i e w t h e C o m m i s s i o n ^ financial p o s i t i o n
in t h e light of t h e p r o g r e s s m a d e in s e c u r i n g g r e a t e r efficiency a n d
e c o n o m y . Since t h e n h e h a d s o u g h t the a d v i c e of the p e r m a n e n t
m e m b e r s of t h e T r a n s p o r t T r i b u n a l , acting as a c o n s u l t a t i v e
committee, and he had now received from them a report which
advised, n o t only t h a t t h e full i n c r e a s e in freight c h a r g e s originally
p r o p o s e d b y t h e C o m m i s s i o n w a s justified, b u t t h a t even with this
a d d i t i o n a l r e v e n u e a n d t h a t f r o m o t h e r s m a l l e r increases in charges
t h e C o m m i s s i o n h a d little p r o s p e c t of m e e t i n g their s t a t u t o r y
o b l i g a t i o n of securing a sufficient r e v e n u e t o m e e t their costs, t a k i n g
o n e y e a r w i t h a n o t h e r , a n d of e s t a b l i s h i n g a n d m a i n t a i n i n g a g e n e r a l
reserve.
T h e M i n i s t e r of T r a n s p o r t w a s d u e t o answer a
P a r l i a m e n t a r y Q u e s t i o n o n t h e following d a y a s k i n g w h a t advice h e
h a d received f r o m t h e T r a n s p o r t T r i b u n a l , a n d it would b e
i m p o s s i b l e t o a v o i d m a k i n g t h e r e p o r t p u b l i c . T h i s would d r a w
a t t e n t i o n t o t h e financial difficulties u n d e r w h i c h t h e C o m m i s s i o n
w e r e l a b o u r i n g . H e t h o u g h t t h a t at t h e e n d of t h e six m o n t h s ' p e r i o d
it m i g h t b e a d v i s a b l e t o p u b l i s h a W h i t e P a p e r setting o u t t h e
m e a s u r e s w h i c h t h e T r a n s p o r t C o m m i s s i o n h a d f o r m u l a t e d in t h e
i n t e r v a l t o i n c r e a s e t h e i r efficiency a n d t o i m p r o v e t h e i r financial
position.
The
CabinetT o o k n o t e of this s t a t e m e n t b y t h e M i n i s t e r of T r a n s p o r t .
10. The Minister of Defence said t h a t h e w o u l d b e r e p r e s e n t i n g
Kashmir.
rPr viom
t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m at t h e f o r t h c o m i n g m e e t i n g of t h e Council of
Reference­
the Bagdad Pact in T e h e r a n .
I t w a s likely t h a t P a k i s t a n s
r c t w 1 0 3 r d r e p r e s e n t a t i v e , possibly w i t h s u p p o r t f r o m t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of
pnnt.Lnm
T u r k e y , w o u l d seek t o p e r s u a d e t h e C o u n c i l t o discuss a t this m e e t i n g
M^nlrfiv
the p r o b l e m of K a s h m i r . I t c o u l d b e a r g u e d t h a t this w a s of interest
to t h e C o u n c i l , since P a k i s t a n m i g h t b e u n a b l e t o fulfil h e r obligations
P
u n d e r t h e P a c t if s h e h a d t o p r o t e c t herself a g a i n s t aggression f r o m
India. T h e C o m m o n w e a l t h Secretary h a d asked that he should
p r e v e n t this subject f r o m being d i s c u s s e d a t t h e m e e t i n g . H e w o u l d
like, h o w e v e r , t o k n o w h o w far h e s h o u l d g o in o p p o s i n g its inclusion
i n t h e a g e n d a or in t h e c o m m u n i q u e .
I n discussion it w a s p o i n t e d o u t t h a t it w o u l d give g r e a t offence
t o I n d i a if, after the reference to K a s h m i r w h i c h h a d b e e n i n c l u d e d i n
t h e c o m m u n i q u e of the last m e e t i n g of t h e C o u n c i l of t h e S o u t h - E a s t
A s i a T r e a t y O r g a n i s a t i o n ( S . E . A . T . O . ) , this q u e s t i o n w a s a g a i n
discussed b y t h e C o u n c i l of a n o t h e r r e g i o n a l defence p a c t . O n t h e
o t h e r h a n d , it w o u l d b e a m i s t a k e t o p r e s s o u r o p p o s i t i o n to t h e
p o i n t of e n d a n g e r i n g t h e s o l i d a r i t y of t h e m e m b e r s of t h e B a g d a d P a c t .
I t m i g h t b e helpful if a p e r s o n a l m e s s a g e w e r e sent t o t h e G o v e r n o r G e n e r a l of P a k i s t a n stressing t h e d i s a d v a n t a g e s of a t t e m p t i n g t o
v e n t i l a t e this p r o b l e m a t the T e h e r a n m e e t i n g . T h e M i n i s t e r of
D e f e n c e s h o u l d also d o his best, a t t h e m e e t i n g , to d i s s u a d e o t h e r
m e m b e r s f r o m raising t h e q u e s t i o n . If, d e s p i t e these efforts, it w e r e
r a i s e d , it w a s d e s i r a b l e t h a t as little as p o s s i b l e s h o u l d b e said a b o u t
it in t h e c o m m u n i q u e — w h i c h s h o u l d n o t , i n a n y e v e n t , g o f u r t h e r o n
this p o i n t t h a n the c o m m u n i q u e " of t h e last m e e t i n g of t h e C o u n c i l of
S.E.A.T.O.
The
Cabinet­
(1) I n v i t e d t h e C o m m o n w e a l t h S e c r e t a r y to s e n d a p e r s o n a l
m e s s a g e to. t h e G o v e r n o r - G e n e r a l of P a k i s t a n urging h i m
t o use his influence to p r e v e n t P a k i s t a n i s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e
f r o m raising t h e q u e s t i o n of K a s h m i r a t t h e f o r t h c o m i n g
m e e t i n g of t h e C o u n c i l of t h e B a g d a d P a c t in T e h e r a n .
(2) I n v i t e d the M i n i s t e r of D e f e n c e t o d e a l w i t h this q u e s t i o n , a t
t h e T e h e r a n m e e t i n g , o n t h e lines a g r e e d i n t h e C a b i n e f s
discussion,
Cabinet Office,
10th April,
S.W.1,
1956.