FOREIGN OFFICE FILES FOR POST-WAR EUROPE
Series One: The Schuman Plan and the European Coal & Steel Community, 1950-1957

Part 2: Complete FO 371 files for 1954-1955
(PRO Class FO 371/109621, 111250-111264, 111321-111330, 115990-115998, 116036-116057 & 116100-116105)

Part 2 deals with British attitudes to the Schuman Plan from 1954 to 1955, and looks at the continuing problems that the UK had in balancing her position as a European nation whilst upholding her Commonwealth obligations.

Britain, still preferring an inter-governmental rather than a federal approach, monitored the plan closely and the Foreign Office Files reproduced here provide detailed analysis of the discussions from 1954 to 1955. They cover:

• French attempts to pressure Britain into closer co-operation.
• Working Papers of the UK delegation to the High Authority of the ECSC.
• The failure of the French National Assembly to ratify the EDC treaty.
• The signature of the Western European Union treaty.
• Britain's decision to form a limited association with the ECSC in December 1954.
• Monnet's resignation as President of the High Authority of the ECSC.
• Relations with the OECC.
• European collaboration on nuclear energy.
• The Brussels Preparatory Committees and Preparatory Commission.