Letters from Clement Attlee to Harold Laski

Scope and Content

i) Typescript letter signed (1p). No address. Comments on Stafford [Cripps'] actions, disaffiliations and the treatment of Party offenders. Mentions [Walter] Citrine, [Winston] Churchill and Arthur Greenwood. 22 February 1937

ii) Typescript letter signed (1p) sent from London. Thanks Laski for draft of broadcast. Refers to Colonel Donvan. [1940?]

iii) Typescript letter signed (1p) sent from London. Thanks Laski for note. 28 June 1940

iv) Typescript letter signed (1p) sent from London. From Mary Gooch, Private Secretary, on behalf of Clement Attlee. Invitation to visit Richmond Terrace. 19 July 1940

v) Typescript letter signed (1p) sent from London. Arranges visit to talk about Seuffert's letter. 30 September 1940

vi) Typescript letter signed (1p) sent from London. Comments upon the problems relating to the release of Control Room assistants. 10 October 1940

vii) Typescript letter signed (1p) sent from London. Has raised questions with the Greek Prime Minister concerning the release by the Greek Government of exiled opposition leaders. 20 November 1940

viii) Typescript letter signed (1p) sent from London. Thanks Laski for his letter on War Aims. Refers to a letter of 15 December where he returns letters from Chuter Ede and [Ernest] Bevin. (These are not in the collection.). 19 December 1940

ix) Typescript letter signed (2 pp) sent from London. Attlee defends his political actions concerning the war. 29 January 1941

x) Typescript letter signed (1p) sent from London. Comments upon Laski's actions which have made it difficult for Attlee to consult him. 1 April 1941

xi) Typescript letter signed (1p) sent from London. Refers to the Declaration and Laski's points relating to the M. of I. (Ministry of Information). 1 July 1941

xii) Typescript letter signed (1p) sent from London. Thanks Laski for suggestions which he has also received from [John] Winant. 16 October 1941

xiii) Typescript letter signed (1p) sent from London. Encloses letter from the Ministry of Health (not present in the collection). Wants to talk to Laski about his visit to America. 22 November 1941

xiv) Typescript letter signed (1p) sent from London. Comments on the principle of the non-replacement of ships. 1 April 1942

xv) Handwritten letter signed ( 1 pp) sent from London. Feels it is too late to recommend Carr Saunder's name for the New Year [Honours List?]. 17 November 1943

xvi) Typescript letter signed (4 pp) sent from London. Defends the government's strong stance on socialism. Discusses post war period and England's economic position with the Allies. Discusses ideas relating to nationalisation and tactics needed. Defends his socialism against Laski's accusation of Macdonaldism. 1 May 1944

xvii) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London Comments on Laski's mistaken views concerning the general's[?] visit. Mentions Marshal Tito. 25 May 1944

xviii) Handwritten letter signed (2 pp). No address. Answers Laski's queries concerning Mrs. Glazier's pension. Also refers to 'SHAEFI'. 9 August 1944

xix) Typescript letter signed (1p) sent from London. Arranges a time to meet 'E.B.' [Ernest Bevin?] who is unwell. 19 September 1944

xx) Typescript letter signed (2 pp), sent from London. Comments upon Laski's speeches and interviews which are 'embarrassing' and do not echo the views of the government. Criticises Laski on his false and 'irresponsible' claim. Requests a period of silence from him. 20 August 1945

xxi) Typescript letter signed (2 pp) sent from London. Comments upon Laski's incorrect report in 'The Times' concerning local authorities. 16 January 1946

xxii) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Comments on Laski's continuing inaccuracy. 23 January 1946

xxiii) Typescript letter signed (1p) sent from London. Thanks Laski's letter concerning the All-Ceylon Tamil Congress. 23 March 1946

xxiv) Typescript letter signed (1p) sent from London. Thanks Laski for the letter from his student concerning the Army and Navy. 29 March 1946

xxv) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Thanks Laski for actions relating to Italy and the refugees. 23 April 1946

xxvi) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Promises to review Laski's letter on the Palestine Report. 9 May 1946

xxvii) Handwritten letter signed (2 pp) sent from London. Thanks Laski for suggestions. Refers to the Zionist Committee[?]. Is too late to put T. O. Jones on the next Honours List. 21 (November?) 1946

xxviii) Typescript letter signed (1p) sent from London. Thanks Laski for letter. Will organise the authorities to look into the question of the Meineckes' house. 3 July 1946

xxix) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Thanks Laski for suggestion concerning F. D. R (Franklin Delano Roosevelt) Memorial. 23 July 1946

xxx) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Mentions death of Ellear[?] Advises caution when appearing with Wallace in public. 8 February 1947

xxxi) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Refers to India and Pakistan. 22 February 1947

xxxii) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Awaits invitation from Prague University. 28 April 1947

xxxiii) Typescript letter signed (2 pp) sent from London. Gives consideration to situation concerning Leon Blum. Also refers to Roosevelt Chairs, the conscription debate and the I. L. P (Independent Labour Party). 4 June 1947

xxxiv) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Comments on the Commons passing the Bill. 17 July 1947

xxxv) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Believes principles will see them through the 'rough weather'. Refers to Indian Independence. 12 August 1947

xxxvi) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Attlee defends the government's policy. 20 August 1947. [Copy?]

xxxvii) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Expresses confidence over the miners but is concerned over 'this Yorkshire trouble'. 3 September 1947 [Copy?]

xxxviii) Handwritten letter signed (2 pp) sent from London. Discovers that practical experience has modified his theoretical views. Refers to Herbert Samuels, Edgha[?] and Clem Davis. 22 September 1947

xxxix) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Refers to the Palestine problem. 25 November 1947

xl) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Fears 1948 will be a difficult year. Mentions the Roosevelt Chairs. 22 December 1947

xli) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Thanks Laski for memorandum. 3 February 1948

xlii) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Considers invitation to visit Prague as a representative of Oxford University. 6 February 1948

xliii) Typescript letter signed (1p) sent from London. Declines invitation to visit Prague. 10 February 1948

xliv) Typescript letter signed (1p) sent from London. Refers to TUC (Trades Union Congress) meeting and George Isaacs. 18 February 1948

xlv) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Refers to a successful conference. Also refers to Palestine. 27 May 1948

xlvi) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Thanks Laski for loan of secretary. Comments upon visit to Lincolnshire libraries. 27 June 1948

xlvii) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Deals with financial provision for Evan Durbin's family. 8 September 1948. [Copy?]

xlviii) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Comments on Durbin family and refers to Hugh Dalton. 21 September 1948

xlix) Handwritten letter signed (2 pp) sent from London. Raises matters concerning the financing of the University Chair. 29 November 1948

l) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Thanks Laski for sending 'Liberty in the Modern State'. 10 November 1948

li) Handwritten letter signed (2 pp) sent from London. Feels concern over Dutch attitude to Indonesia. Also mentions the Kashmir question. 30 December 1948

lii) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Thanks Laski for [William] Morris book. Refers to John Ruskin's 'The Nature of Gothic'. 27 January 1949

liii) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Suggests amendments to Laski's introduction to the programme including refererences to Socialism and Capitalism, "rights" and "duties". Also refers to Trade Unionism. 14 February 1949

liv) Typescript letter signed (2 pp) sent from London. Refers to the setup in the House of Commons, 'P[ersonal]. P[rivate]. S[ecretarie]s' and visits abroard. Laski to leave the Executive. 21 May 1949

lv) Handwritten letter signed (2 pp) sent from London. Refers to the Tories and the exchange problem, the A. F. N. L[?], and the C. I. O [Central Information Office?] and Wall Street. Feels it is a critical point for Western democracy. 1 September 1949

lvi) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Believes they can go on with 'renewed vigour'. Refers also to the U. S. A. 21 September 1949

lvii) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Thanks Laski for volume[?] on Randolph [Churchill]- also refers to 'W. S. C.' [Winston Spencer Churchill]. 22 November 1949

lviii) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Refers to the Manstein trial. 7 January 1950

lix) Handwritten letter signed (2 pp) sent from London. Is glad to find the country's people in good heart. Refers to the attack by Bearson[?] on [John] Strachey. 2 March 1950, with envelope dated 1950

With letter to Kingsley Martin from Clement Attlee:

lx) Handwritten letter signed (1p) sent from London. Has no objection to publication of letters. Also refers to Laski correspondence. 9 November 1951

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