‘Unfortunately we have our hands full …’ On 17 June 1950, German cartoonist Beuth illustrates the reasons put forward by the British government authorities for their non-participation in the forthcoming negotiations on the implementation of the Schuman Plan. From left to right: Ernest Bevin, British Foreign Secretary, Clement Attlee, British Prime Minister, Konrad Adenauer, Federal Chancellor, and Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister.