This extract form he minutes of the meeting of the Council of Western European Union (WEU) on 6 March 1957 depicts the debates on further steps to stimulate and extend cooperation in the field of research, development and production within the framework of the Standing Armaments Committee (SAC). The Chairman asks the delegations if this matter is ready for examination. The British representative Lord Samuel Hood does not think so, arguing that it would be better to await the outcome of technical consultations before launching a political debate. French representative Jean Chauvel also wonders whether it is a good idea for the Council to take fresh steps at the moment and whether it would not be preferable for the International Secretariat of the SAC to provide the Council with information on progress made so that it can consider any action that should be taken.