At the same time, competent authorities of the two countries have agreed on steps to simplify, to the greatest possible extent, the present formalities relating particularly to the control of external trade and the movement of private persons, and to postal, telegraphic and telephonic communications, Finally, representatives of the two Governments have jointly examined means for overcoming difficulties standing in the way of parallel development of their export trade.
In this connection, they have approved of the forthcoming discussions in London between the Federation of British Industries and the corresponding French federation, which are designed to facilitate contacts between the corresponding industries of the two countries. These discussions, ana their results as a whole, serve to emphasize the desire for full and close collaboration, such as will not only contribute to their strength in the present circumstances, but will also form a potential factor in postwar economic reconstruction—British Official Wireless, Third Stage of Ca-operation London, Feb. 16.
The accord, officially announced today, was stated in economic and political quarters to be of the greatest importance for it marks the third stage in the development of Anglo-French ce-operation. The first stage was reached when the Prime Ministers, Mr. Neville Chamberlain and M. Edouard Daladier, reached an agreement to pool resources and means and to pursue a common policy of buying abroad. The second stage was the Simon-Reynaud accord which practically eliminated all problems of currency exchange between the two countries and paved the way for the culminating accord! formally announced this evening.
Henceforth, French imports from Britain and even the Dominions will be paid for in francs, and British imports from the French empire will be paid for in pounds sterling.
Formalities which impeded travelling will be simplified and letters, parcels and telegrams will again be delivered with the speed and convenience of peace-time days.
Finally, it was declared here, the agreement provides for a redistribution between France and Britain of the trade markets formerly held by Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia.—Havas.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.