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House of Commons.—Timetable of public business for the week ending 29 Oct. 1960, with other notices.

(Signed as Chief Whip. Mechanical copy of a typed original. Two items have been marked, one about the introduction of Viscount Amory to the House of Lords, the other about a cocktail party to welcome Lord and Lady Listowel.)

303 Duncan House, Dolphin Square, S.W.1.—Looks forward to reading Pethick-Lawrence’s address to the East India Association, and will send his comments on it without delay.

Oxton, Kenton, S. Devon.—Thanks him for an account of his visit to Russia. Explains why he thinks the present régime in that country of limited importance to the progress of socialism in western Europe.

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Transcript

September 11th 1932
Oxton, Kenton, S. Devon

Dear Mr. Pethick Lawrence,

I appreciated very much indeed your kindness in sending me the account of your expedition to Russia, and I would have written earlier to thank you had I not been abroad until two days ago.

You give no account of your findings about the Soviet methods in finance, but no doubt this would be hard to explain to the layman. I am inclined myself sometimes to think that people exaggerate the importance of the present regime in Russia to the progress of socialism in western Europe; after all, it is a very different matter building a collectivist economic system on a democratic foundation to superimposing by force the same system on a vast body of passive and ignorant peasants. Socialism can be of no use to us unless it is born of the free and spontaneous choice of the people themselves; and that is how it differs so profoundly from the Russian model. Perhaps, some day, the kulaks and mouziks will be educated by us to collective ownership; one hopes so.

With very many thanks for the deeply interesting account of your experiences.

Yours sincerely,
Listowel

36 Onslow Gardens, S.W.7.—Cannot lunch with him next week, as he is working on a Lords Committee. Suggests other arrangements.

House of Lords.—Invites him to a meeting of an interparliamentary group formed to foster co-operation among members of different parliaments in the defence of peace and democratic liberties (i.e. the Inter-Parliamentary Union). A report of the group’s conference in Brussels will be given by Eleanor Rathbone on Friday.

(A mechanical copy of a typed original, with typed and handwritten additions. At the foot Pethick-Lawrence has drafted a reply, the text of which is substantially that of 2/295.)

10 Manchester Square, W.1.—Thanks him for his congratulations (on his election as a member of London County Council).

(Dated 8 Mar.)

303 Duncan House, Dolphin Square, S.W.1.—Has been invited to contribute to a book on the reorganisation of Europe after the war. Seeks Pethick-Lawrence’s views on the economic aspects of the subject.

303 Duncan House, Dolphin Square, S.W.1.—Thanks him for replying to his questions about post-war finance.

Flat No. 303, Duncan House, Dolphin Square, S.W.1.—Gives news of Pethick-Lawrence’s niece (Ellen Davies), whom he met in New Zealand (cf. 2/295).

India Office.—Thanks him for his good wishes (on his appointment as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the India Office).

Flat No. 303, Duncan House, Dolphin Square, S.W.1.—Is delighted that Pethick-Lawrence has been appointed to the India Office. Praises the civil servants there and the Viceroy [Wavell].

Dudley Hotel, Hove, Sussex.—Praises Pethick-Lawrence’s judgement on Indian affairs. ‘I am sure your viewpoint will win in the end.’

Flat No. 303, Duncan House, Dolphin Square, S.W.1.—Expresses sympathy on the death of Lady Pethick-Lawrence.

Cannot attend the meeting (of the Inter-Parliamentary Union; see 2/285).

Sends him letters of introduction to Vida Goldstein (see 2/296) and Ellen Davies, his niece.

Introduces the Earl of Listowel, who is visiting Australia with a party of British MPs.