Dangos 1375 canlyniad

The Editor, Y Cymro, Caxton Press, Oswestry, Salop. The writer will be away from home a great deal, and would be grateful if the recipient could kindly translate the enclosed article (A2/11a). Is aware of the views of Y Cymro, but believes strongly that this viewpoint must be placed before the Welsh nation.

The Editor, Chester Chronicle, Bridge Street, Chester. Refers to the paragraph published in the 'Flint and Denbigh Notes' column in the paper of 12 July covering the Regional Hospital Boards and the new National Health Service. Resents the reference of the correspondent to the Regional Machinery as 'bleak, far away, out of touch, which rather chills the heart and damps enthusiasm'. Throughout the whole of Wales there is a demand for regional machinery. When the Minister announced this, it received the acclamation of all public-spirited men and women in Wales. In such cases, local interest must merge itself into the wider interest of the region. An Area Committee is to be set up in Wales very shortly. Discusses the composition of this committee. The Minister has already indicated that he wishes Management Committees to enjoy the maximum possible independence in questions of local day-to-day administration. Discusses the weaknesses of the old voluntary hospitals which are now praised. Genuinely believes that the new National Health Service is the beginning of a 'real glorious era, where every man and woman will have the best that Medical and Surgical skill can provide, irrespective of means or social status'. The Minister is determined to ensure that, within the new health service, local interest will be given the utmost freedom to play its part.

William Whiteley, MP, 12 Downing Street, London SW1. William Whiteley will recall that Huw T. Edwards wrote to him as President of the North Wales Labour Parties Federation recommending names for inclusion in the Honours List. Of these names, Mrs M. Silyn Roberts of Bangor was honoured, and there was generally a great deal of satisfaction in North Wales when the list was published. The writer certainly has no axe to grind as he has no wish for an honour. Names three further individuals from North Wales whom he believes to be worthy recipients of honours: David Thomas of Bangor, Alderman W. J. Rees of Rhyl, and Alderman J. T. Edwards of Ponciau, Wrexham. Outlines briefly their records of public service. All three are pioneers of the Labour Movement within North Wales, and their recognition in this way would be highly popular in North Wales. 'Private and Confidential'.

Typescript 'Brief Summary of the Political and Trade Union, Local Government and Social Activities of Alderman J. T. Edwards JP of Brynhyfryd, Ponciau, Wrexham, North Wales'.

Rt Hon. Herbert Morrison, MP, Lord President of the Council, Great George Street, London SW1. Should the writer correspond directly with Aneurin Bevan rather than that HM should hand over to him letter A2/16. Feels that the former option would be the better course, and hopes that HM agrees. Best wishes for 1948. 'Personal'.

Rt Hon. Aneurin Bevan, Minister of Health, Whitehall, London SW1. Outlines the case of one of the District Surveyors and of the treatment meted out to him by the local authority. 'Private & Confidential'.

Rt Hon. Sir Stafford Cripps, MP, 11 Downing Street, London SW1. Regrets to worry the recipient at such a busy time. Outlines the predicament of Mr T. Rowland Hughes who was struck down by a serious illness years previously. Could the Government provide him with a Civil Pension? Such an action would be welcomed by all Welshmen. Discusses Lord Kenyon, who is 'really a very grand type'. He sits with the writer on Flintshire County Council and he is quite progressive in his opinions. Kenyon might link his views with them, and he comes to London very often. 'Personal' For reply see A1/26.

Peter Lewis, Milford Hall, Newtown. Answers a number of questions which the recipient asked him concerning steel, Marchwiel, slate and the nationalisation of coal. Gives more general information on employment in North Wales and the industrial development of the area. Written in reply to A1/27.

J. C. Griffith Jones, 38 Cathedral Road, Cardiff. Regretted his failure to have a chat with the recipient at Cardiff. Considers that it is important to secure an Exhibition Centre worthy of Wales and her industry. Has just been talking to Mrs Eirene White, MP. Both Mrs White and Huw T. Edwards are a little annoyed that the recipient's notes which are published in the Daily Herald every Saturday never seem to appear in the North Wales edition. Mrs White intends to approach the Daily Herald on this matter. Could have sold four times the number of tickets for the forthcoming Attlee meeting, and were surprised at the popularity of the occasion. It would seem that North Wales people were impressed by Attlee's decision to come to the University of Wales at Bangor to receive his Ll.D. rather than remain in the House of Commons to receive full credit for the Indian settlement. People are anxious to see him in the flesh, to hear what he has to say on present-day problems, and to hear his estimate of the outcome of the next general election. The agenda of the next meeting of the Council for Wales is indeed a formidable one; the press statement issued at the end will at least show the direction in which the Council is moving. Discusses the Snowdon Electrical proposals. It is essential to convince the Welsh people that complete electrification must precede prosperous agriculture and prosperous industry, and to assure those who live in rural communities that the days of oil lamps and candles are coming to an end. 'Personal'.

Keidrych Rhys, Druid Press, 121 Lammas Street, Carmarthen. Returns the recipient's cheque for two guineas. Has made his views on the pamphlet quite clear. It should never have been published in pamphlet form without some consultation.

J. W. Roberts, Cartrefle, Bala, Merioneth. Regrets the delay in responding to his letter of 22 March. Has been approached by various constituencies over the years to stand as a parliamentary candidate for the Labour Party, but has refused to do so each time as he genuinely does feel that he can render greater service to Wales by remaining outside the House of Commons. Agrees that it is certainly possible for the Labour Party to capture Merionethshire at the next general election - with the right candidate. Does not consider that it would be wise to rush into the selection of a candidate; a few weeks might be spent looking around. Thinks that the Rev. Herman Jones, Portmadoc, is the one man who might capture the seat if he can be persuaded to stand. There is also a young man at the University College of North Wales, Bangor, who is going to the United States to represent Britain in the Inter-Nation Debates. JWR might make enquiries about him as 'he is a first rate speaker and is a young man who could afford to nurse a constituency'. Appreciates being asked to submit his name, but has reasons for not agreeing. Written in reply to A1/62.

Rt Hon. Ernest Bevin, Foreign Office, London SW1. They are all very delighted to note that the recipient is making progress and is back at his duties. Cannot understand why the recipient thinks that the writer was of the opinion that he should be removed from his position as Foreign Secretary. Huw T. Edwards has been so worried by this that he has gone back through his diary and has examined every speech that he delivered during the course of the recent election campaign. Quotes from a speech which he made at the Cardigan Pavilion Cinema on 26 January in which he paid fulsome tribute to Ernest Bevin - 'We are living too near to Ernest Bevin to appreciate his greatness. History will undoubtedly say that he was the greatest Foreign Minister of all time'. He also quotes from other speeches which he made during the course of the campaign, and from answers which he gave to questions asked him. Has always emphasised the magnitude of the task which confronted EB and has consistently pleaded that any assessment of a single issue should be made as part of the total plan being worked out in relation to foreign policy. Written in reply to A1/65.

Dr Thomas Jones, Gregynog, Newtown. Makes arrangements to meet at Gregynog to go on a picnic. Hopes that Tj is now feeling better.

J. E. Daniel, Secretary of the Welsh Books Publishing Committee, Ministry of Education, 33 Park Place, Cardiff. Considers the Committee to which J. E. Daniel has been appointed Secretary to be 'the most important Committee affecting the future of the Welsh language and the Welsh way of life that has ever been set up'. Is particularly pleased that J. E. Daniel has been chosen as its Secretary. Care has been taken that various interests should be represented on this Committee, and he hopes that the recipient will find that the balance of interest is acceptable. The task facing the Committee will be difficult, and the writer thinks that the only way forward will be for the Committee to recommend unanimously the establishment of a body to which Treasury grants would be made directly, and for that body in turn to subsidise publications in the Welsh language. Considers that it would be a great error to invest this authority in the WJEC as it is too large and unwieldy, and it would be likely to consider this matter as a peripheral sideline. The tentative proposals which he has already made on these lines have been favourably received. They are anxious that the Committee should be impressed with the importance of this matter, and it might be advantageous for the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire to send a small deputation in support of the publishers' case. 'Private'.

Sir David Maxwell Fyfe, Home Secretary, Home Office, Whitehall, London SW1. Is delighted that the recipient is able to meet the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire at Cardiff on 15 January. Expects to hear the Government's views on certain recommendations made by the Council at the meeting. The Council would like to hear more of the views of the Government on further devolution to departments in Wales and on their long-term policy of parity with Scotland. The Council would also welcome the recipient's views on its plans for the rural areas and the small ports. They would welcome the opportunity of meeting Mr D. T. Llewellyn in his new capacity; considers that no better appointment could have been made under the circumstances. Written in reply to A1/84.

Miss Florence Horsbrugh, Minister of Education, Curzon Street House, Curzon Street, London SW1. It is the desire of the Council that the Permanent Secretary, Sir Ben Bowen Thomas, should be required to live at Cardiff in the event of the establishment of a Welsh Office along the lines suggested by the Council. Appreciates that the present arrangement whereby Sir Ben resides at London has positive advantages - namely that he is in close contact with his colleagues in the Department and with the recipient as Minister. The writer feels that it should be possible to establish a Welsh Office although Sir Ben would continue to reside at London and would be available for consultation at his Cardiff Office at certain specified times. Sir Ben would then be regarded as the head of the Welsh Office as he is the Permanent Secretary. 'Private & Confidential' For reply see A1/98.