The first series of meetings of the Council of Deputies opened in London on July 25 under the chairmanship of Charles M. Spofford (United States). Upon adjournment of the Council on July 28 for discussion with members' respective governments, a statement was issued saying that “practical measures required to build up the defences of the west in the shortest possible time” had been discussed. The deputies unanimously agreed that the deterioration in the world situation created by the situation in Korea made it more important than ever for the North Atlantic Treaty states to speed up their common defense. They recognized “the need for maintaining and safeguarding the economic construction and stability of the North Atlantic area”, the communiqué continued, but agreed that this depended on establishment of an effective system of integrated defense. The deputies noted the additional effort already announced by several members of the treaty countries and unanimously approved certain recommendations to accelerate defense production, including a request for greater expenditures on defense.