Dear Dr. Clark,

I write in confirmation of our telephone conversation this morning and with reference to the recent interview which the High Commissioner and myself had with Mr. Ilsley on the subject of prospective dates for the forthcoming financial discussions to be held in Ottawa between representatives of the Canadian and United Kingdom Governments.

In accordance with the plan proposed by Mr. Ilsley a party will be leaving England, by air for Dorval, on Friday, February 1st.

The party will consist of Sir Wilfrid Eadyl, Mr. C. F. Cobbold, Mr. A. T. K. Grant, Mr. Edgar Jones (Treasury), Mr. Bridge (Bank of England) and secretarial staff.

On arrival at Dorval Sir Wilfrid Eady and Mr. Cobbold will proceed direct to Washington to discuss certain outstanding questions there. The remainder of the party will proceed direct to Ottawa with the idea of being able to start in on preliminary statistical work with your Department on Monday, February 4th.

It is proposed that Sir Wilfrid Eady and Mr. Cobbold will arrive on about Friday, February 8th, with the idea of being available for the main discussions to begin on Monday, February 11th.

It is suggested that it would be appropriate to issue a statement for the press (simultaneously in London and Ottawa) some time next week before the arrival of the party in Canada.

I attach a proposed draft of this which has been prepared by the Treasury and shall be glad to know whether you find it suitable. If so perhaps we could agree for a date when it could be simultaneously published, and in this connection I would suggest say Thursday of next week (January 31st).

I am sending a copy of this letter to Mr. Norman Robertson for his information but, as I think we agreed in our conversation this morning, I am assuming that you are keeping the Department of External Affairs informed.

I am writing this letter to you as following up the discussion which we previously had with Mr. Ilsley.

Yours sincerely,
STEPHEN HOLMES

¹Deuxième secrétaire conjoint, la Trésorerie de Grande Bretagne.
¹Joint Second Secretary, Treasury of Great Britain.