611.4131/540: Telegram
The Chargé in the United Kingdom (Johnson) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 9—2:47 p.m.]
761. 1. Beale of the Tariff Commission has arrived.
2. At lunch today Overton informed us that he would be in charge of the British delegation for trade agreement negotiations. Stirling, Norman Archer from the Dominions office and an expert on British tariff together with clerks would complete the delegation, totalling 12 persons. The time of its arrival in Washington is contingent upon the date on which actual negotiations can start.
3. Overton has mailed Chalkley a preliminary list of British requests which may be supplemented later. He has in mind the desirability of getting a full list of requests before you by December 23.
4. When the subject of the relation of British colonies to the forthcoming negotiations was broached, Overton remarked that the British delegation was not preparing itself to discuss concessions on United States products entering colonies. It has occurred to us that, if the State Department were considering including the colonies in the negotiations, it might save time if that subject matter were now taken up with Chalkley so that the delegation would be in a position to discuss the matter when negotiations begin.