Minutes (extract)

              22.
25th November, 1936.
that at the Joint meeting of the International Federation of Trade Unions and the Labour and Socialist International in Paris on the 20th October, this body had applied to be received and it was then stated that it was directly connected with the Communist Red Aid Society. The delegation had not been received at Paris.
With regard to the interview with him, Sir Walter said that the requests which Mr. Longuet and his colleagues had put forward were:-
(1) That steps should be taken to influence the British Government to withdraw the embargo on arms to the Spanish Government.
(2) They wanted a protest made by the French and British Governments against the atrocities, committed by the rebels in Spain.
(3) Concerning the Balearic Isles. The deputation had no direct information about the activities of the Italians there and their information was only gained from newspapers.
(4) They proposed that the British Labour Movement should send a deputation across to France .
Sir Walter explained to the members of the Deputation on the first point that the British Labour Movement had done all it could in the House of Commons and by deputation to Ministers to influence the Government's policy, but it would be misleading them to assume that there was any real likelihood of a change being made by the British Government. The signs were that the non-intervention agreement would be tightened up rather than relaxed. He also pointed out to the Deputation that the French Government had declared within the last few days its desire for the continuance of the non-intervention agreement. He, therefore, suggested that it was necessary for the delegation to make representations to their own Government.
With regard to the points (2) and (3), he said he was willing to do what he could personally to help.
On the motion of Mr. Dukes, the report was
ADOPTED.
Item 6. Shipping of Arms,
Mr. Spence expressed the view that the British seamen would probably be in favour of the proposed Bill rendering the carriage of arms to Spain by British ships illegal.
Item 7. Spanish Medical Aid Committee.
The Chairman explained that the General Council would no further co-operate with this organisation, either by means of sending grants or appointing a representative on the Committee until it was clear that they had excluded the members of the Communist Party. AGREED.