Letter (copy) : Spain

              WMC/AC/310
International
8th January, 1937.
Mr. W. Schevenels, International Federation of Trade Unions, 9, avenue d'Orsay, PARIS VIIe.
Dear Comrade Schevenels,
SPAIN.	[Observer   Food   meeting IFTU LSI]
I have just returned from the Spanish Embassy in London, where I have been discussing two matters with Senores Azcarate and Oliveira.
The first concerns the sending of a British observer to Spain.     Some time ago the National Council of Labour considered this matter and thought that it would be desirable that we should have a British representative stationed in Spain for some two or three months, who could keep us informed of tht exact situation there.     He could of course establish contact with the U.G.T. and the Spanish Socialist Party, and the psychological effect of this could, we think, be very good.
I have been trying to secure a suitable representative, and today I have discussed matters with Sir Arthur Pugh, who, as you know, is an ex-member of our General Council.    He is doubtful about going, mainly on the grounds that he feels that he might not be able adequately to discharge his duties.     He cannot of course speak Spanish, and we have been considering as to whether we could provide him with an interpreter. Today Mr. Bevin suggested we might approach the International Transportworkers' Federation, to see whether Mr. Clutterbuck, who does speak Spanish, would go. Before doing this, I thought it best to ask your advice to see whether there is anyone in the I.F.T.U. offices who could be sent for this purpose, or failing the I.F.T.U., the L.S.I.
I know of course that Mr. Price of the L.S.I. speaks Spanish, and has been to Spain, and it would be a fine thing if he could be released for several weeks to accompany whatever representative we finally decide to send from Great Britain.     Will you think the matter over and let me know whether you can do anything?
The second point we considered was sending food to Spain.     It was reported to us that both Madrid and Malaga are in very great need of supplies of meat,