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Office of the Minister of Defence.—Is glad that Pethick-Lawrence was able to attend yesterday’s Indian independence celebrations.

House of Lords.—Is sorry to hear of the death of Lady Pethick-Lawrence.

Well House Farm, West Mersea, Essex.—Asks for a reference for his grand-daughter, who is applying for admission to New Hall, Cambridge.

Well House Farm, West Mersea, Essex.—Thanks him for his letter (enclosing a reference) and refers to his farming difficulties.

George Allen & Unwin Ltd, Ruskin House, 40 Museum Street, London, W.C.1.—Invites him to contribute to a book on ‘the Conscription of Wealth or a levy on Capital’.

George Allen & Unwin Ltd, Ruskin House, 40 Museum Street, London, W.C.1.—Discusses terms for a proposed book (published as The Money Muddle and the Way Out).

4 Oak Hill Park, Hampstead, N.W.3.—Congratulates him on his elevation to the House of Lords.

(Undated. Postmarked 4 Aug. 1945.)

George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 40 Museum Street, London, W.C.1.—Sends a copy of Nanda’s biography of Gandhi.

Has nearly finished writing his book A Levy on Capital.

Agrees to publish the proposed book (see 1/7) on stated terms.

Thanks him for the book (see 1/9). Is helping to raise money for a memorial to Christabel Pankhurst and editing a book by her (Unshackled).

Advises the procedure to be followed by those attending the dedication of the American Memorial Chapel in St Paul’s Cathedral.

(A slip cut from a larger document.)

Advises the procedure to be followed by Lords attending the dedication of the American War Memorial Chapel.

House of Lords.—Has received his application for tickets to the dedication of the American War Memorial Chapel.

(A mechanical copy of a typed original, dated by hand.)

Advises the time of the dedication of the American War Memorial Chapel.

Encloses a copy of 1/19.

The circumstances under which Churchill became Prime Minister were not as Amery represents them in his review of Churchill’s book (The Gathering Storm).

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Transcript

11th. October, 1948.
To the Editor of “The Spectator”

Sir,—

The Churchillian Epic

In the interests of Historical accuracy I must express my dissent from the impression conveyed by the conculding† paragraph of Mr. Amery’s review of Mr. Churchill’s book {1}.

No doubt it is true that it was the decision of the three men on May 10, 1940 that made Mr. Churchill Prime Minister. But this decision was based on the political situation in the House of Commons.

It was generally recognised that in the national emergency there must be a Coalition Government. The Labour Party had refused to serve under Mr. Chamberlain. The question of serving under Lord Halifax never arose, but it is inconceivable that they would have agreed, first, because he was in the upper House and secondly, because he had been an active supporter of Mr. Chamberlain’s “appeasement” of Hitler. They were prepared to serve under Mr. Churchill. No other possible choice presented itself.

These facts may not have been positively known at the time by all the three men. But there was the strongest presumptive evidence that they were true.

Yours etc.,
[blank]

The Editor,
The Spectator,
99, Gower Street,
London, W.C.1.

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{1} The Second World War, Vol. 1: The Gathering Storm.

† Sic.

112 Eaton Square, S.W.1.—His view of the circumstances under which Churchill became Prime Minister has been corroborated by Brendan Bracken.

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Transcript

112 Eaton Square, S.W.1.
12th October, 1948.

My dear Pethick,

I shall be interested to see your letter in The Spectator. Curiously enough I had information directly contrary to your conclusion only three days ago. Brendan Bracken told a friend of mine that on the evening of May 9th 1940 Attlee told him that he would be willing to serve under Halifax but not under Winston. Bracken vigorously argued about this and ended by shaking Attlee considerably. In any case the decision, if it had been subjected to a Parliamentary vote, would certainly have gone to Halifax as the overwhelming majority of the Conservatives would have preferred him, as a safer man. Don’t forget that up to the last Winston was widely distrusted on all sides.

Yours sincerely,
L S Amery

The Rt. Hon. Lord Pethick-Lawrence of Peaslake.

I fear the above is confidential so I cannot use it to reply to your letter!

‘The Spectator’, 99 Gower Street, London, W.C.1.—Pethick-Lawrence’s letter (see 1/19) will appear in the next issue.

House of Commons.—Returns a memo, referring briefly to his own view of the best policy to adopt towards India.

Corner Brook, (Newfoundland).—Discusses the activities of the British Parliamentary Mission, and asks Pethick-Lawrence to contribute on his behalf to the memorial to the late Speaker (E. A. Fitzroy).

House of Commons.—Thanks him for his letter of congratulation (on his peerage).

70 Ferndene Road, S.E.24.—Alludes to a difference of opinion between them.

70 Ferndene Road, Herne Hill, S.E.24.—He and his wife were sad to learn of the death of Lady Pethick-Lawrence.

Has made a contribution on Ammon’s behalf towards the cost of a portrait of the late Speaker (see 1/23). Parliament may be recalled early.