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Transcript of interview: Sir Michael Palliser, 1999

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/DOHP 37

Scope and Contents

From the Fonds:

The programme comprises transcripts of interviews with senior diplomats.

Dates

  • 1999

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.

Material in this collection is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue.

Biographical / Historical

Michael Palliser was born 9 April 1922, the son of the late Admiral Sir Arthur Palliser, KCB, DSC, and Lady Palliser (née Margaret Eva King-Salter); he was educated at Wellington College and Merton College, Oxford (Honorary Fellow 1987). In 1948 he married Marie Marguerite, daughter of the late Paul-Henri Spaak.

After serving with the Coldstream Guards, 1942-47 (Captain, 1944), Palliser entered the Diplomatic Service in 1947. His career included: South East Asia Department, Foreign Office, 1947-49; Athens [Greece], 1949-51; Second Secretary, 1950; Foreign Office: German Finance Department, 1951-52; Central Department, 1952-54; Private Secretary to Permanent Under-Secretary, 1954-56; First Secretary, 1955; Paris [France], 1956-60; Head of Chancery, Dakar [Senegal], 1960-62 (Chargé d’Affaires in 1960, 1961 and 1962); Counsellor, and seconded to Imperial Defence College, 1963; Head of Planning Staff, Foreign Office, 1964; a Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, 1966; Minister, Paris, 1969; Ambassador and Head of UK Delegation to European Communities, Brussels [Belgium], 1971; Ambassador and UK Permanent Representative to European Communities, 1973-75; Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Head of Diplomatic Service, 1975-82.

He was awarded the GCMG in 1977 (KCMG 1973; CMG 1966); PC 1983. Sir Michael died on 19 June 2012.

Extent

1 file(s)

Language of Materials

English