Letter to Sir Robin Butler KCB CVO, Secretary
to the Cabinet and Head of the Home Civil Service, from Rt Hon
Dr David Owen MP
Thank you for your letter and again my gratitude
to everyone who has read through the chapters.
As to the chapter on Navy Minister, I agree
to make the deletion that you have requested. As to Minister of
Health I would like to keep the present reference but if Sir Christopher
France finds that it upsets Sir Philip Rogers I will delete his
name at proof stage to refer to senior officials but I think the
reference is important, demonstrating well on both Sir Philip
himself and the principle of independent advice to Ministers and
after 15 years I think it would be beneficial to reveal it.
On page 2, dealing with your letter, paragraph
by paragraph:
First, I have deleted the words "that did
. . . MI5".
Second, I have deleted any personal criticism
implied or otherwise relating to Michael Butler and Michael Pallier
and deleted the reference to John Fretwell but kept the tribute
to Donald Maitland.
Third, I have deleted any reference to advice
by either Ivor Richard or Sir Anthony Duff. I was tempted to keep
Ivor Richard in since he was really a political appointment but
I have decided to treat him as a civil servant. Since Ted Rowlands
is a Minister I consider it perfectly acceptable to give his advice
after this period, as with other Ministers, on the IMF.
Fourth, I have deleted the reference to Ewen
Fergusson and for reasons I have explained kept references to
Junior Ministers and the Cabinet Committee.
Fifth, I have kept the description of Cabinet
meetings.
On your page three, first paragraph, I have
removed all references to Sir Nicholas Henderson apart from his
leaked despatch in the Economist. I agree basically with your
point that it is not reasonable to expect civil servants to restrain
from publishing their diaries if we breach the guidelines.
Second, I have reduced the criticism of Peter
Ramsbotham. in the ways you suggested.
Third, I have made the deletion as you suggested.
On your fourth paragraph, for reasons I have
explained I have kept in references to Ministers and the Cabinet
vote
Fifth, I have deleted the reference to Tom McCaffrey.
Sixth, I have kept the references from Tony
Benn's Diaries.
Seventh, I have deleted references to Michael
Butler.
Eighth, I have kept the Ministerial views.
Ninth, I have made the deletion you suggested
in relation to the Governor of Hong Kong.
Again, many thanks for your helpful suggestions
and I hope you will not be too upset where I have found it impossible
to take your views.
7 June 1991
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