On 29 November 1963, the Secretary-General of Western European Union circulates to the WEU Council a paper from the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Richard Butler, on the British Government’s findings on the supply of Middle East oil to Europe. The figures indicate that in seven years’ time, Western Europe will be much more dependent on oil imports from the Middle East for its energy requirements and that, while maintaining significant stocks, it should also examine the question of diversifying sources of supply.