On 25 May 1950, the French Government invites London to take part in the negotiations for the establishment of a European coal and steel pool.

On 26 May 1950, the British Embassy in Paris sends a message to the French Government describing the United Kingdom’s hesitations with regard to the Schuman Plan.

On 30 May 1950, in order to dispel any misunderstanding between France and the United Kingdom over the fundamental objectives of the Schuman Plan, the French government sends a memorandum to the British government setting out the main inspiration for the planned coal and steel pool, while emphasising the scope of the proposed bases for negotiation.

‘Bevin: First of all, let’s see what you’re preparing for us!’ On 30 May 1950, the German cartoonist Beuth illustrates the caution of the United Kingdom regarding the Schuman Plan to pool the European production of coal and steel. From left to right: Ernest Bevin, British Foreign Secretary, Konrad Adenauer, Federal Chancellor, and Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister.

On 2 June 1950, at a Cabinet meeting held at 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the British Prime Minister, the leading members of the government discuss the impossibility for the United Kingdom to participate in the negotiations on the implementation of the Schuman Plan, as things stand.

On 2 June 1950, the British Foreign Secretary, Ernest Bevin, hospitalised in the London Clinic, considers with his close colleagues the possibility of the United Kingdom’s non-participation in the negotiations on the implementation of the Schuman Plan.

On 2 June 1950, the British daily newspaper The Manchester Guardian sets out the reasons for the United Kingdom’s absence from the negotiating table for the Schuman Plan.

On 3 June 1950, the British Government publishes a communiqué setting out its position on the Schuman Declaration on the pooling of coal and steel output in Western Europe.

On 3 June 1950, Pierre Uri, economic and financial adviser at the French National Planning Board, drafts a communiqué for the attention of the French Foreign Ministry spokesman in which France reacts negatively to the latest proposal made by the British government regarding the negotiations on the Schuman Plan.

On 4 June 1950, the French regional daily newspaper Le Républicain Lorrain leads with the British Government’s decision not to participate in the negotiations on the Schuman Plan.

‘It's a shame; let's start without him!' On 5 June 1950, the French daily newspaper Le Franc-Tireur illustrates the British Labour Party's decision to reject the proposed European coal and steel pool as presented in the Schuman Plan.

On 6 June 1950, the British cartoonist, David Low, illustrates the voluntary absence of the United Kingdom from the negotiations on the Schuman Plan scheduled to be held in Paris between the Six.

On 6 June 1950, Oliver Harvey, British Ambassador to Paris, sends a note to Kenneth Younger, Minister of State to the British Foreign Minister, Ernest Bevin, in which he outlines the events that led to the United Kingdom’s absence from the negotiations on the Schuman Plan.

‘The train is ready to depart. We’re just waiting for you to get on!’ On 6 June 1950, the British Foreign Secretary, Ernest Bevin, in hospital in the London Clinic, considers with his staff the possibility of the United Kingdom’s non-participation in the negotiations for the implementation of the Schuman Plan.

On 6 June 1950, in anticipation of the forthcoming negotiations on the implementation of the Schuman Plan, the German daily newspaper Der Mittag emphasises the many reservations put forward by the British regarding the French plan.

On 6 June 1950, the Dutch daily newspaper Het Vrije Volk comments on the United Kingdom’s decision not to take part in the proposed European Coal and Steel Community.

On 7 June 1950, the German daily newspaper Hamburger Abendblatt describes the failure of discussions held between Paris and London that aimed to secure the United Kingdom’s participation in the negotiations on the Schuman Plan and expresses concern at the potential consequences of the UK’s refusal for the implementation of the French plan.

On 8 June 1950, the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit reports on the United Kingdom’s absence at the forthcoming negotiations launched in Paris by the Benelux countries, Italy, France and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) on the Schuman Plan.

On 13 June 1950, British MPs hold a debate in the House of Commons over the possible consequences of the Schuman Plan and the United Kingdom’s attitude to the forthcoming negotiations on the coal and steel pool.

On 13 June 1950, the Dutch daily newspaper Het Parool comments on the decision of the British Labour Party to reject the idea of European integration as presented in the Schuman Plan.

On 13 June 1950, the British cartoonist, David Low, takes an ironic look at the fears of British leaders in the light of the plans for European integration, including the Schuman Plan to pool coal and steel.

On 13 June 1950, the Italian daily newspaper Il Giornale d’Italia considers the difficulties to be overcome for the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).

On 14 June 1950, the French daily newspaper L’Aurore harshly criticises the United Kingdom’s decision not to participate in the plan for a European Coal and Steel Community and particularly deplores the position adopted by the British Labour Party.

‘Oh well! We’ll continue the journey without him.’ On 14 June 1950, cartoonist Woop illustrates the British Government’s decision not to take part in the negotiations on the Schuman Plan.

On 15 June 1950, the Steering Committee of the Socialist Party/French Section of the Workers’ International (SFIO) issues a press release announcing its decision to attend the International Socialist Conference the following day despite the position adopted by the British Labour Party on the Schuman Plan.

On 15 June 1950, the French regional daily newspaper Le Républicain lorrain sets out the reasons for the British Government’s caution at the question of involvement in the European coal and steel pool.

On 15 June 1950, the German magazine Die Gegenwart outlines the reasons for the United Kingdom’s absence from the negotiating table for the Schuman Plan and emphasises the importance of not excluding the British from the European unification process.

In this note to French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman, René Massigli, French Ambassador to London, informs the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom's negative attitude towards the French plan to pool coal and steel production in Western Europe.

‘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.

‘English sauce or Pool sauce?’ In June 1950, at the start of diplomatic negotiations on the coal and steel pool, Robert Schuman is reticent about considering the United Kingdom as an ingredient in European cuisine.

‘The bloodless doctor of Paris’. On 22 June 1950, as negotiations are opened on the Schuman Plan, German cartoonist Ernst Maria Lang emphasises the commitment of Robert Schuman to European integration and illustrates the United Kingdom’s absence from the negotiating table.

On 26 June 1950, the British Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions sends a letter to the Foreign Office welcoming the government’s refusal to participate in the negotiations on the implementation of the Schuman Plan.

In a speech to the House of Commons on 27 June 1950, Winston Churchill denounces the absence of the United Kingdom from the negotiating table where the Schuman Plan for a European coal and steel pool is being discussed.

In this telegram addressed to French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, René Massigli, French Ambassador in London, criticises the policy of Franco–German rapprochement since he believes that it will be detrimental to Franco–British relations.

On 3 July 1950, the British Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations drafts a memorandum on the possible political and economic repercussions of the Schuman Plan on the close relations between the United Kingdom and the Member States of the Commonwealth.

In this telegram, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman tries to reassure his Ambassador in London, René Massigli, of the consequences of British withdrawal from the Schuman Plan negotiations.

In September 1950, the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera criticises the attitude of the British Labour Party which shows little enthusiasm for European integration.

In his memoirs, Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, discusses the reasons for the United Kingdom’s negative position with respect to the French plan to establish a coal and steel pool in Western Europe.

In his memoirs, Jacques Dumaine, Head of Protocol at the French Foreign Ministry, recalls how the authorities in the United Kingdom had, from the outset, been extremely cautious towards the Schuman Plan.

In 1952, Christopher Hollis, a Conservative MP and British delegate to the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe, sets out in the French magazine Notre Europe the stance adopted by the British Conservative Party in 1950 on the intergovernmental negotiations on the Schuman Plan.