The Conservative Foreign & Commonwealth Council was formed in 1984 with the merger of the Conservative Commonwealth & Overseas Council, the Conservative Overseas Committee. The CF&CC's constitution states its objectives as being:- '(a) To promote a wider knowledge and understanding of foreign, Commonwealth and European affairs amongst members and supporters of the Conservative Party. (b) To provide a forum for publicising and discussion of Party policy in the fields listed above; and for passing the views of the membership through either the President or Chairman to the responsible Minister of Shadow Minister.'