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THIS
DOCUMENT
IS
THE
PROPERTY
Printed
OP
H I S
BRITANNIC
for the Cabinet.
MAJESTY'S
GOYERNMEN
June 1 9 4 7
SECRET
Copy N o .
C M . (47)
55th Conclusions
C A B I N E T 55 ( 4 7 )
CONCLUSIONS
of a Meeting of the Cabinet held at 1 0 Downing
on Thursday,
lQth June, 1 9 4 7 . at 1 1 am.
Street,
S.W. 1,
Present:
T h e R i g h t H o n . C . R . A T T L E E , M . P . , P r i m e M i n i s t e r (in the
Chair).
The R i g h t H o n . HERBERT MORRISON,
M . P . , L o r d P r e s i d e n t of t h e Council.
The Right Hon. ERNEST BEVIN, M.P.,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for F o r e i g n Affairs
(Items 5 - 7 ) .
The R i g h t H o n . A R T H U R G R E E N W O O D ,
M.P., Minister without Portfolio.
The R i g h t H o n ^ Sir STAFFORD C R I P P S ,
K.C., M . P . , 1/resident of t h e B o a r d
of T r a d e .
The Right Hon. VISCOUNT JOWITT,
L o r d Chancellor.
The
R i g h t Hon.
H U G H DALTON,
M.P.,
Chancellor of t h e E x c h e q u e r .
The R i g h t H o n . A. V . ALEXANDER,
M . P . , M i n i s t e r of Defence.
The Right Hon. J . CHUTER EDE, M.P.,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for t h e H o m e
Department.
The R i g h t H o n . VISCOUNT ADDISON,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r D o m i n i o n
Affairs.
The R i g h t H o n . A . CREECH JONES,
M . P . , S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for t h e
Colonies.
The Right Hon. J . WESTWOOD, M.P.,
The Right Hon. G . A . ISAACS, 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.
The R i g h t Hon. ANEURIN BEVAN, M . P . ,
M i n i s t e r of H e a l t h .
The Right Hon. E . SHINWELL,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r Scotland.
The
Right
Hon.
THE
EARL
OF
L I S T O W E L , S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r
I n d i a a n d S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r
Burma.
M.P.,
M i n i s t e r of F u e l a n d P o w e r .
T h e R i g h t H o n . T. W I L L I A M S ,
Minister
Fisheries.
of
Agriculture
M.P.,
and
The R i g h t H o n . GEORGE TOMLINSON,
M . P . , M i n i s t e r of E d u c a t i o n .
T h e following w e r e also p r e s e n t :
The R i g h t H o n . J O H N STRACHEY, M . P . , I T h e R i g h t H o n . S i r HARTLEY SHAWM i n i s t e r of Food.
CROSS, K . C . , M . P . , A t t o r n e y - G e n e r a l
I
(Item 4 ) .
The R i g h t H o n . W I L L I A M WHITELEY,
M.P.,
Parliamentary
Secretary,
T r e a s u r y (Item 1 ) .
Secretariat:
[34109-1]
Mr.
W.
Mr.
S. E . V . L U K E .
S.
MURRIE.
B
C A B I N E T 55 (47) CONTENTS
Minute
No,
1
Subject
Parliament
B u s i n e s s i n t h e H o u s e of C o m m o n s .
B u s i n e s s i n t h e H o u s e of L o r d s .
2
Ceylon
Constitutional
Development.
8
Double Day-Shift W o r k i n g in F a c t o r i e s
4
Criminal J u s t i c e B i l l
5
E c o n o m i c Recovery of Europe
6
Trade Delegation t o Moscow
7
Madame Peron ....
....
Parliament.
Business in
t h e H o u s e of
Commons.
B u s i n e s s in
t h e H o u s e of
Lords.
Ceylon.
Constitutional
Development.
(Previous
Reference:
C.M.(47)51st
Conclusions,
1. 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 business t o be t a k e n i n
t h e H o u s e of Commons i n t h e following week.
T h e R e p o r t S t a g e of t h e Electricity
Bill w o u l d be t a k e n o n
23rd, 24th and 25th June.
2 6 t h J u n e w o u l d be t h e seventh a l l o t t e d S u p p l y D a y .
The
B o a r d of T r a d e V o t e w o u l d be t a k e n a n d t h e r e w o u l d be a d e b a t e
o n s h o r t a g e s of civilian goods.
O n 2 7 t h J u n e the C o m m i t t e e a n d r e m a i n i n g S t a g e s of t h e
Northern Ireland Bill, t h e Probation
Officers (Superannuation)
Bill
a n d t h e Agriculture
(Emergency
Payments)
Bill, a n d t h e Second
R e a d i n g of t h e Foreign Marriages Bill a n d t h e Wellington
Museum
Bill w o u l d be t a k e n .
T h e W a y s a n d M e a n s R e s o l u t i o n r e q u i r e d to enable a n e w
C l a u s e d e a l i n g w i t h m o t o r car t a x a t i o n to be considered a t t h e
n e x t s t a g e of t h e F i n a n c e Bill w o u l d be t a k e n d u r i n g t h e week.
The Secretary
of State for Dominion Affairs s a i d t h a t he h a d
m a d e i t clear to t h e O p p o s i t i o n l e a d e r s in t h e H o u s e of L o r d s t h a t
t h e G o v e r n m e n t would n o t a c c e p t a n y a m e n d m e n t to remove docks
a n d h a r b o u r s from the scope of t h e T r a n s p o r t B i l l . R e a s o n a b l y
good p r o g r e s s w a s being m a d e w i t h t h e B i l l a n d t h e L o r d C h a n ­
cellor d i d n o t p r o p o s e t o force divisions o n t h e l a t e r O p p o s i t i o n
a m e n d m e n t s , t h o u g h he would m a k e i t clear t h a t t h e G o v e r n m e n t
could n o t acquiesce in them.
2. The Prime Minister i n f o r m e d t h e C a b i n e t t h a t t h e Governor
of Ceylon h a d r e p o r t e d t h a t the a n n o u n c e m e n t m a d e i n P a r l i a m e n t on t h e p r e v i o u s d a y on t h e question of f u r t h e r c o n s t i t u t i o n a l
p r o g r e s s in Ceylon h a d been v e r y well received by t h e S t a t e Council.
M r . D . S. S e n a n a y a k e , t h e V i c e - C h a i r m a n of t h e B o a r d of M i n i s t e r s ,
h a d expressed, o n behalf of t h e Council, w a r m a p p r e c i a t i o n of t h e
a c t i o n t a k e n by H i s M a i e s t y ' s Government.
Minute 4.)
The CabinetTook note, w i t h a p p r o v a l , of t h e s t a t e m e n t m a d e by the
Prime Minister.
Double
Bay-Shift
Working
in
Factories.
3. T h e C a b i n e t considered a m e m o r a n d u m by t h e M i n i s t e r
of L a b o u r ( C P . (47) 180) on t h e r e p o r t of t h e C o m m i t t e e on Double
Day-Shift Working.
The Minister
of Labour said t h a t t h e C o m m i t t e e h a d been
a p p o i n t e d i n M a r c h 1945.
T h e i r r e p o r t , a copy of w h i c h w a s
a n n e x e d to C P . (47) 180, stressed t h e economic i m p o r t a n c e of
m a k i n g more u s e of t h e double d a y - s h i f t system in f u t u r e , a n d
p o i n t e d o u t t h a t its social inconveniences w o u l d be l a r g e l y offset
by c o m p e n s a t i n g a d v a n t a g e s a n d could be m i t i g a t e d in v a r i o u s w a y s .
T h e C o m m i t t e e recommended t h a t t h e n o r m a l finishing t i m e for
t h e second s h i f t should be e x t e n d e d from 10 pum. to 11 p.m. a n d
t h a t double d a y - s h i f t w o r k i n g by y o u n g p e r s o n s u n d e r 18 should
i n g e n e r a l be p r o h i b i t e d , t h o u g h some l a t i t u d e i n t h i s m a t t e r m i g h t
be allowed for a p e r i o d not exceeding t w o y e a r s . H e h a d a g r e e d
w i t h t h e 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 a t , before t h e Govern­
m e n t a n n o u n c e d t h e i r final views on t h e q u e s t i o n s r a i s e d , t h e r e p o r t
should be p u b l i s h e d w i t h a v i e w to g i v i n g t h e i n t e r e s t s concerned a n
o p p o r t u n i t y of s u b m i t t i n g r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s on i t s r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s .
I t seemed desirable, however, t h a t , w h e n t h e r e p o r t w a s published,
i t should be accompanied by a p r e l i m i n a r y s t a t e m e n t i n d i c a t i n g
t h a t , w h i l e t h e G o v e r n m e n t e n d o r s e d some of i t s findings, they w e r e
n o t satisfied t h a t ail t h e recommendations w e r e s o u n d a n d proposed
t o consult t h e N a t i o n a l J o i n t A d v i s o r y Council for I n d u s t r y a b o u t
[34109-1]
B 2
them. A d r a f t of t h i s p r e l i m i n a r y s t a t e m e n t w a s c o n t a i n e d in
A n n e x I I to C P . (47) 180, a n d t h e p r o v i s i o n a l p r o p o s i t i o n s on t h e
basis of w h i c h i t w a s p r o p o s e d to consult t h e N a t i o n a l J o i n t
A d v i s o r y Council w e r e set out in p a r a g r a p h 4 of C P . (47) 180.
T h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a b o u r Conventions about n i g h t w o r k by women
a n d y o u n g persons i n i n d u s t r y would n o t p e r m i t the s u b s t i t u t i o n
of 11 p.m. for 10 p.m. as t h e n o r m a l finishing h o u r for double day­
shift work, a n d it w a s proposed t h a t , w h e n these Conventions came
u p for review a t t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a b o u r Conference i n 1948, an
a t t e m p t should be m a d e t o secure a m e n d m e n t s w h i c h w o u l d p e r m i t
a n extension t o 11 p.m. Unless, however, t h e Conventions were
denounced before November 1947 we should be bound by t h e m for
a f u r t h e r 10 years, a n d , i n o r d e r t o keep t h e p o s i t i o n open, i t w a s
proposed t h a t we should denounce t h e Conventions before t h a t d a t e .
T h e following p o i n t s were m a d e in d i s c u s s i o n —
(a) The Minister
of Fuel and Power said t h a t w h i l e h e w a s
not opposed to t h e p r o p o s a l s in C P . (47) 180, he feared t h a t t h e
extension of double d a y - s h i f t w o r k i n g would a g g r a v a t e t h e coal
supply problem by i n c r e a s i n g t h e c o n s u m p t i o n of electricity o w i n g
to longer m a c h i n e - r u n n i n g t i m e a n d e x t e n d e d s p a c e - h e a t i n g .
I n reply it w a s p o i n t e d o u t t h a t t h e new system would not in
any event come into o p e r a t i o n for a y e a r or two, a n d t h a t i t would
not in all cases lead t o a n increase in t h e load.
(b) The Minister of Education p o i n t e d out t h a t p a r a g r a p h 4 (c)
of C P . (47) 180 p u t n o l i m i t on t h e t i m e for w h i c h c o n s i d e r a t i o n of
the q u e s t i o n of p r o h i b i t i n g t h e employment of persons u n d e r 18 on
double day-shifts m i g h t be postponed.
Since i t w o u l d be very
difficult to p r o v i d e for t h e e d u c a t i o n of y o u n g persons employed
on double day-shifts, i t w a s desirable to a d h e r e t o t h e recommenda­
tion of the C o m m i t t e e t h a t a n y p o s t p o n e m e n t should n o t be" for a
period of m o r e t h a n two years.
(c) 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 t h e M i n i s t e r s concerned,
should give special c o n s i d e r a t i o n to the m e a s u r e s necessary to
m i t i g a t e t h e e d u c a t i o n a l a n d social inconveniences w h i c h would
result from t h e a d o p t i o n of the double d a y - s h i f t system.
(d) I n t h e p r o p o s e d discussions w i t h t h e N a t i o n a l J o i n t
A d v i s o r y Council i t should not be i m p l i e d t h a t it w a s t h e Govern­
m e n f s view t h a t a w o r k i n g week of 3 7 ^ h o u r s would be a d e q u a t e .
-(e) T h e d r a f t s t a t e m e n t in A n n e x I I to C P . (47) 180 should
be r e - w r i t t e n in simpler l a n g u a g e .
:
The C a b i n e t ­
(1) A u t h o r i s e d t h e M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r to p r e s e n t to P a r l i a m e n t
t h e r e p o r t of the C o m m i t t e e on Double D a y - S h i f t
W o r k i n g , a n d i n v i t e d h i m to p r e p a r e a revised p r e ­
l i m i n a r y s t a t e m e n t of t h e G o v e r n m e n t ' s views for p u b l i ­
cation simultaneously w i t h the r e p o r t ;
(2) A g r e e d t h a t , a f t e r the r e p o r t h a d been p u b l i s h e d , the
M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r should consult the N a t i o n a l J o i n t
A d v i s o r y Council for I n d u s t r y on t h e basis of t h e p r o ­
visional p r o p o s i t i o n s set o u t i n p a r a g r a p h 4 of
C P . (47) 180, as modified t o t a k e account of t h e p o i n t s
r a i s e d a t (b) a n d (d) above;
( 3 ) A g r e e d t h a t t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a b o u r Conventions about
n i g h t w o r k by women a n d y o u n g persons i n i n d u s t r y
should be formally d e n o u n c e d ;
(4) A g r e e d t h a t the Social Services C o m m i t t e e should consider
w h a t measures would be necessary to m i t i g a t e t h e educa­
tional a n d social inconveniences of a n increase i n double
d a y - s h i f t w o r k i n g in factories.
4. 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 by t h e H o m e
S e c r e t a r y ( C P . (47) 182) covering a m e m o r a n d u m w h i c h he h a d
circulated to the Lord P r e s i d e n t s Committee indicating the main
lines of t h e C r i m i n a l J u s t i c e Bill w h i c h h e p r o p o s e d t o i n t r o d u c e
i n t h e 1947-48 Session.
The Home Secretary s a i d t h a t , w h e n t h e L o r d P r e s i d e n t s Com­
m i t t e e h a d considered h i s m e m o r a n d u m ( L . P . (47) 8 t h M e e t i n g ,
M i n u t e 4), t h e L o r d Chancellor h a d expressed m i s g i v i n g s a b o u t some
of t h e p r o p o s a l s . I n s u b s e q u e n t discussions w i t h t h e L o r d C h a n ­
cellor he h a d been able to r e d u c e t h e e x t e n t of d i s a g r e e m e n t a n d
t h e only s u b s t a n t i a l p o i n t on w h i c h t h e r e w a s still a divergence of
o p i n i o n w a s t h e p r o p o s a l to abolish t h e p o w e r s of C o u r t s to p a s s
sentences of c o r p o r a l p u n i s h m e n t . H e w a s convinced t h a t t h i s
p r o p o s a l w a s r i g h t on m e r i t s a n d he w a s satisfied t h a t , if i t w e r e
n o t i n c l u d e d i n t h e B i l l as i n t r o d u c e d , t h e G o v e r n m e n t s u p p o r t e r s
w o u l d u n d o u b t e d l y c a r r y a n a m e n d m e n t to i n c l u d e it w h e n t h e B i l l
w a s before S t a n d i n g C o m m i t t e e . T h e Bill in g e n e r a l followed t h e
lines of t h e m e a s u r e i n t r o d u c e d in 1988, subject to c e r t a i n modifi­
c a t i o n s w h i c h w e r e set o u t on p a g e 7 of t h e A n n e x to C P . (47) 182.
A p a r t from t h e p r o v i s i o n r e l a t i n g to c o r p o r a l p u n i s h m e n t , it would
n o t m a k e a n y s u b s t a n t i a l c h a n g e in t h e p e n a l t i e s p r o v i d e d for
u n d e r the e x i s t i n g l a w . - I t would, however, by e n a b l i n g p r i s o n e r s
to be classified i n a m o r e r a t i o n a l way, lead to very desirable r e f o r m s
i n t h e t r e a t m e n t of offenders, t h o u g h its full effect w o u l d n o t be
felt u n t i l m o r e could be done t o replace o u t - o f - d a t e p r i s o n b u i l d i n g s .
I t w a s probable t h a t , w h e n t h e Bill w a s before t h e H o u s e of Com­
m o n s , a n a m e n d m e n t w o u l d be moved t o abolish c a p i t a l p u n i s h m e n t .
H e proposed t h a t a n y such a m e n d m e n t should be resisted on t h e
g r o u n d t h a t i t w a s i n a p p r o p r i a t e t h a t such a f a r - r e a c h i n g c h a n g e
of t h e l a w should be i n c l u d e d in the Bill.
The Lord Chancellor
s a i d t h a t , t h o u g h he w a s still of o p i n i o n
t h a t it w o u l d be u n w i s e t o abolish t h e p o w e r s of c o u r t s to p a s s
sentences of c o r p o r a l p u n i s h m e n t a n d w o u l d have f a v o u r e d the
r e t e n t i o n of t h e use of t h e birch, he r e a l i s e d t h a t for p o l i t i c a l
r e a s o n s it w o u l d be v e r y difficult t o d o less t h a n h a d been p r o p o s e d
in t h e B i l l i n t r o d u c e d i n 1938. A s r e g a r d s t h e o t h e r provisions of
the Bill, h e felt t h a t i t w a s i m p o r t a n t to avoid i m p r o v i n g t h e con­
d i t i o n s u n d e r w h i c h p r i s o n e r s were t r e a t e d to such a n e x t e n t a s
to d e s t r o y completely t h e d e t e r r e n t effect of i m p r i s o n m e n t .
Discussion c o n c e n t r a t e d first on t h e q u e s t i o n of c o r p o r a l
punishment.
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 t h e p o w e r s of c o u r t s t o
p a s s sentences of c o r p o r a l p u n i s h m e n t should be abolished. Some
M i n i s t e r s felt, however, t h a t the H o m e S e c r e t a r y ' s p r o p o s a l to
r e t a i n t h e p o w e r to impose c o r p o r a l p u n i s h m e n t for c e r t a i n g r a v e
offences a g a i n s t p r i s o n d i s c i p l i n e could n o t be justified, a n d i t w a s
suggested t h a t w a r d e r s sometimes provoked p r i s o n e r s to commit
such offences i n t h e k n o w l e d g e t h a t t h e y could be p u n i s h e d by
flogging. A g a i n s t t h i s i t w a s p o i n t e d o u t t h a t , if t h e p o w e r to
impose c o r p o r a l p u n i s h m e n t for offences a g a i n s t p r i s o n d i s c i p l i n e
w e r e w i t h d r a w n , t h e r e w o u l d be no effective legal sanction a g a i n s t
p r i s o n e r s w h o a s s a u l t e d t h e i r w a r d e r s a n d t h e r e w o u l d be a s t r o n g
t e m p t a t i o n for t h e w a r d e r s to t a k e the l a w i n t o t h e i r own h a n d s .
C o r p o r a l p u n i s h m e n t for offences a g a i n s t p r i s o n d i s c i p l i n e w a s
inflicted only w i t h t h e express consent of t h e H o m e S e c r e t a r y on t h e
r e c o m m e n d a t i o n of t h e p r i s o n v i s i t i n g committee.
The C a b i n e t t h e n discussed t h e q u e s t i o n of c a p i t a l p u n i s h m e n t .
I t w a s a g r e e d t h a t i t w o u l d be impossible to d r a f t t h e t i t l e of
t h e Bill i n such a w a y as to exclude a n a m e n d m e n t to abolish c a p i t a l
p u n i s h m e n t , a n d t h a t i t would be u n c o n v i n c i n g to a r g u e t h a t t h e
inclusion i n t h e Bill of a provision for t h e abolition of c a p i t a l
p u n i s h m e n t w o u l d be i n a p p r o p r i a t e .
On t h e q u e s t i o n w h e t h e r on m e r i t s i t w o u l d be desirable t o
abolish c a p i t a l p u n i s h m e n t M i n i s t e r s w e r e d i v i d e d .
I t w a s u r g e d , o n the one h a n d , t h a t public o p i n i o n w a s not
y e t r e a d y for t h e abolition of c a p i t a l p u n i s h m e n t and. t h a t i t w o u l d
be p a r t i c u l a r l y u n w i s e t o abolish i t a t t h e p r e s e n t t i m e w h e n there
w a s a n a b n o r m a l a m o u n t of robbery w i t h violence. T h e J u d g e s
w e r e convinced t h a t t h e fear of c a p i t a l p u n i s h m e n t w a s a real
d e t e r r e n t , a n d i t w a s difficult t o see w h a t effective a l t e r n a t i v e punish­
m e n t could be inflicted on m u r d e r e r s . Moreover, if c a p i t a l punish­
m e n t w e r e abolished in t h i s country, it would be difficult to justify
i t s r e t e n t i o n i n t h e Colonies a n d in t h e B r i t i s h Z o n e of G e r m a n y .
O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , i t w a s a r g u e d t h a t t h e infliction of c a p i t a l
p u n i s h m e n t w a s d e g r a d i n g to t h e p u b l i c a n d t h a t t h e r e w a s no real
evidence of i t s d e t e r r e n t effect. T h u s , almost all t h e m u r d e r s which
t h e H o m e S e c r e t a r y h a d h a d to consider d u r i n g the p a s t two years
h a d been u n p r e m e d i t a t e d . T h e a t t i t u d e of t h e B e n c h to p a s t pro­
posals for t h e r e f o r m of t h e c r i m i n a l l a w d i d n o t s u g g e s t t h a t their
j u d g m e n t i n such a m a t t e r w a s reliable, a n d t h o s e Government
s u p p o r t e r s i n P a r l i a m e n t w h o h a d g i v e n most s t u d y to t h e m a t t e r
w e r e u n a n i m o u s l y i n f a v o u r of abolition.
I n f u r t h e r discussion t h e suggestion w a s m a d e t h a t the best
course w o u l d be to i n t r o d u c e t h e Bill w i t h o u t a n y provision
a b o l i s h i n g c a p i t a l p u n i s h m e n t a n d to e x p l a i n i n t h e Second R e a d i n g
d e b a t e t h a t , since t h e q u e s t i o n of c a p i t a l p u n i s h m e n t w a s one on
w h i c h t h e r e w e r e differences of o p i n i o n t r a n s c e n d i n g P a r t y lines,
the G o v e r n m e n t felt t h a t t h e m a t t e r should be left t o a free vote.
I t should be m a d e clear, however, t h a t , since t h e m a t t e r was
obviously o n e w h i c h should be considered by the "House a s a whole,
i t w o u l d h a v e to be d e a l t w i t h a t t h e R e p o r t Stage.
The Prime Minister
suggested t h a t t h e Cabinet should resume
t h e i r discussion of t h e q u e s t i o n of c a p i t a l p u n i s h m e n t a t a f u r t h e r
m e e t i n g . T h i s would n o t p r e c l u d e t h e H o m e S e c r e t a r y from com­
p l e t i n g the p r e p a r a t i o n of t h e rest of t h e Bill.
The C a b i n e t ­
(1) A p p r o v e d t h e p r o p o s a l s for a C r i m i n a l J u s t i c e Bill outlined
i n t h e m e m o r a n d u m a n n e x e d to C P . (47) 182 a n d , in
p a r t i c u l a r , a g r e e d t h a t t h e B i l l should abolish t h e powers
of c o u r t s to p a s s sentences of corporal p u n i s h m e n t , but
t h a t c o r p o r a l p u n i s h m e n t should be r e t a i n e d for g r a v e
offences a g a i n s t p r i s o n d i s c i p l i n e ;
(2) Took note t h a t t h e H o m e S e c r e t a r y would discuss t h e finance
of his p r o p o s a l s w i t h t h e Chancellor of t h e E x c h e q u e r ;
(3) A g r e e d to consider f u r t h e r a t a l a t e r m e e t i n g w h a t a t t i t u d e
t h e G o v e r n m e n t should a d o p t to t h e p r o p o s a l t h a t c a p i t a l
p u n i s h m e n t should be abolished.
Economic
R e c o v e r y of
Europe.
(Previous
Reference:
C M . (47)54th
Conclusions,
M i n u t e 2.)
5 The Foreign Secretary gave t h e Cabinet a r e p o r t of h i s
discussions i n P a r i s a b o u t t h e proposed E u r o p e a n r e c o n s t r u c t i o n
p l a n . T h e s e discussions h a d shown t h a t t h e Governments of F r a n c e ,
B e l g i u m a n d the N e t h e r l a n d s w e r e i n s u b s t a n t i a l a g r e e m e n t w i t h
o u r p r o p o s e d method of h a n d l i n g t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s offer. H e h a d ,
however, a g r e e d w i t h t h e F r e n c h M i n i s t e r s t h a t i t w o u l d be p r e m a t u r e at t h i s s t a g e t o a t t e m p t to reach firm decisions o n f u t u r e
p r o c e d u r e a n d t h a t , as a first step, i t would be necessary to a s c e r t a i n
t h e views of t h e Soviet G o v e r n m e n t a n d to find out w h e t h e r they
would g e n u i n e l y co-operate in w o r k i n g o u t a p l a n . M. Molotov
h a d a c c o r d i n g l y been i n v i t e d to meet M . B i d a u l t a n d h i m in the
following week. T h e F r e n c h M i n i s t e r s h a d been e m p h a t i c t h a t every
effort should be m a d e to secure Soviet co-operation, a n d i t would
gravely p r e j u d i c e t h e p r o s p e c t s of E u r o p e a n recovery if n o t only
t h e Soviet U n i o n b u t also t h e c o u n t r i e s w i t h i n t h e Soviet sphere
of i n t e r e s t should s t a n d o u t . H e h a d , however, m a d e i t clear t h a t ,
should t h i s h a p p e n , H i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t would nevertheless
propose to c o n t i n u e t h e i r efforts to p r e p a r e a plan, i n collaboration
w i t h o t h e r E u r o p e a n G o v e r n m e n t s , a n d h e h a d been a s s u r e d t h a t
t h e F r e n c h G o v e r n m e n t w o u l d a d o p t t h e same policy. H e hoped
t h a t t h e necessary m a c h i n e r y for d r a w i n g u p t h e p l a n could be set
u p by 5th J u l y , a n d t h a t discussions w i t h t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s Govern­
m e n t could be s t a r t e d i n September. T h e p r o v i s i o n a l view reached
i n P a r i s w a s t h a t a S t e e r i n g Committee, w h i c h w o u l d sit i n L o n d o n ,
s h o u l d be set u p to establish, direct a n d c o - o r d i n a t e t h e w o r k of
a n u m b e r of special f u n c t i o n a l a n d t e c h n i c a l c o m m i t t e e s ; a n d it
h a d been a g r e e d t h a t t h e Economic Commission for E u r o p e would
i n d u e course h a v e to be associated w i t h t h e w o r k of the Committee.
The Foreign Secretary added t h a t his impression was t h a t
t h e p r e s e n t F r e n c h G o v e r n m e n t w e r e t a c k l i n g t h e i r problems w i t h
resolution a n d good sense. T h e y were, however, faced w i t h a very
g r a v e s i t u a t i o n o w i n g t o the e x h a u s t i o n of t h e i r dollar resources
a n d t h e a d v e r s e effect of t h e severe w i n t e r on t h e i r home food
production.
The Minister
of Food s a i d t h a t i t w a s i m p o r t a n t t h a t n o t h i n g
should be done t o p r e j u d i c e t h e p l a n s on. w h i c h the M i n i s t r y of
F o o d h a d been w o r k i n g for t h e development of n o n - d o l l a r sources
of food s u p p l i e s for t h i s c o u n t r y .
The
Trade
Delegation
to Moscow.
CabinetTook n o t e , w i t h
statement.
a p p r o v a l , of t h e F o r e i g n
Secretary's
6. The President
of the Board of Trade i n f o r m e d t h e C a b i n e t
t h a t a r r a n g e m e n t s h a d been m a d e for t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m T r a d e
D e l e g a t i o n to r e t u r n t o Moscow on 2 0 t h J u n e t o resume n e g o t i a t i o n s
for a n A n g l o - S o v i e t t r a d e a g r e e m e n t . T h e Soviet A m b a s s a d o r in
L o n d o n h a d been i n f o r m e d t h a t w e were n o t w i l l i n g to consider
t h e Soviet r e q u e s t for a revision of t h e r e p a y m e n t t e r m s of t h e
C i v i l S u p p l i e s A g r e e m e n t of 1941 except i n r e t u r n for real, sub­
s t a n t i a l a n d i m m e d i a t e t r a d e a d v a n t a g e s , a n d t h a t i t w a s on t h i s
basis alone t h a t t h e S e c r e t a r y for Overseas T r a d e w a s p r e p a r e d to
r e t u r n t o Moscow, H i s M a j e s t y ' s A m b a s s a d o r in Moscow h a d been
i n s t r u c t e d to e n s u r e t h a t t h e Soviet M i n i s t e r for F o r e i g n T r a d e
clearly u n d e r s t o o d a n d accepted our p o i n t of v i e w ; a n d the r e p l y
g i v e n by M . M i k o y a n (Moscow t e l e g r a m No. 1362) a p p e a r e d to be
reasonably s a t i s f a c t o r y .
The Foreign Secretary
s a i d t h a t , in h i s view, M . M i k o y a n ' s
r e p l y w a s u n s a t i s f a c t o r y , since it gave n o firm a s s u r a n c e s on the
p o i n t s w h i c h H i s M a j e s t y ' s A m b a s s a d o r h a d been asked to r a i s e .
H e t h o u g h t t h a t i t w o u l d be p r e f e r a b l e t o i n s i s t on a r e p l y to these
p o i n t s a n d h e f e a r e d t h a t if t h e D e l e g a t i o n left for Moscow before
t h i s h a d been o b t a i n e d , t h e r e m i g h t be prolonged delay before
negotiations were resumed.
The Cabinet—
A g r e e d t h a t t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m T r a d e D e l e g a t i o n should
r e t u r n to Moscow f o r t h w i t h w i t h a view to r e s u m i n g
n e g o t i a t i o n s for a n Anglo-Soviet T r a d e A g r e e m e n t .
Madame
Peron.
7. 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 t h e w i f e of t h e P r e s i d e n t
of t h e A r g e n t i n e R e p u b l i c i n t e n d e d to v i s i t t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m
f r o m 16th J u l y to 1 9 t h J u l y . I n view of o u r dependence o n t h e
goodwill of t h e A r g e n t i n e G o v e r n m e n t for food s u p p l i e s , i t w o u l d
be i n e x p e d i e n t n o t t o offer h e r some f o r m of G o v e r n m e n t h o s p i t a l i t y .
O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e c h a r a c t e r of h e r h u s b a n d ' s G o v e r n m e n t a n d
h e r conduct d u r i n g h e r v i s i t to S p a i n w o u l d m a k e i t extremely
e m b a r r a s s i n g for t h e F o r e i g n S e c r e t a r y to e n t e r t a i n h e r .
The Minister
of Food s a i d t h a t i t h a d been suggested t h a t he
should e n t e r t a i n M a d a m e P e r o n . H e felt, however, t h a t i t would
be i n v i d i o u s w e r e he alone t o receive her.
T h e r e w a s g e n e r a l s y m p a t h y w i t h t h e view e x p r e s s e d by the
M i n i s t e r of F o o d a n d i t w a s a g r e e d t h a t some f o r m of official
reception a t t e n d e d by more t h a n one M i n i s t e r a n d , if possible, by
t h e F o r e i g n S e c r e t a r y should be p r o v i d e d for M a d a m e P e r o n .
The C a b i n e t 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 consider w h e t h e r i t would
n o t be possible t o a r r a n g e for some form of official Govern-;
m e n t r e c e p t i o n for M a d a m e P e r o n a t w h i c h b o t h h e and
o t h e r M i n i s t e r s m i g h t be p r e s e n t .
Cabinet Office, S.W. 1,
19th June, 1947.