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THE PRESENT Government has been widely ac- claimed—and denounced—as European-minded : containing as it does so many Ministers who have been closely linked with the development of the Council of Europe, and other bodies, this was a reasonable presumption. I fear that the news that the Conservative delegates to the Consultative Assembly at Strasbourg are to be led by Dame Florence Horsebrugh brings disillusionment. For all her many virtues, Dame Florence is not a com- manding political figure and her selection is bound to strike foreigners as bizarre. The obvious choice to lead the delegation was Sir Robert Boothby, and if he was not given the job because he is not a privy councillor, this could easily have been remedied by making him one immediately. By contrast, Labour's representation led by Mr. Gaitskell is relatively strong, and it is unfortunate that at this of all times the Government should appear not to be taking Europe seriously.
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