§ 68. Sir F. Medlicottasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will reconsider the decision to close the centre for promoting Anglo-German relations at Wilton Park, Steyning, Sussex, in view of the value of the work that has been done there and especially in view of the efforts now being made by the West German Government to raise funds to contribute towards the cost of the maintenance of this work.
§ Lord John HopeNo. Her Majesty's Government recognise the value of the work done by Wilton Park and are indebted to its staff and to all others who have in various ways contributed to its success. In deciding to close Wilton Park they have borne in mind not only the need for economy but also the way in which Anglo-German relationships have evolved since the centre was established ten years ago.
Today there is a growing pattern of exchanges between the two countries, thanks to the interest taken in them by the German authorities, for which we are very 97W grateful. The German Federal Government have expressed complete understanding of our decision and share our view that the aims which we and they have in common should in future be pursued by the widest possible exchanges between our two peoples.