Mineworkers' Federation of Great Britain : inter-departmental correspondence

              I.C.3
TRADES UNION CONGRESS GENERAL COUNCIL.
DEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE
From
F. McDonald 
Department Secretary's
To
Mr. Tewson 
Mr. Bolton.
Date    15th November, 1937.
Subject
Mineworkers' Federation of Great Britain. 
For information.
Mr. Elliott of the Mineworkers' Federation telephoned this morning saying they had received a cablegram from Mr. Jones from Moscow, asking them to get in touch with the Foreign Office with a view to some Spaniards, who were over there, being allowed to come to this country as guests of the Mineworkers' Federation of Great Britain, to urge support for their Spanish comrades.
As Mr. Edwards was not in the office, they wanted to see if Sir Walter would approach the Foreign Office.   On Sir Walter's instructions I told them that they must wait until Mr. Edwards returned.    He could not approach the Foreign Office or the Home Office about the matter.    If they press the request, it will be a matter for the Council to deal with.
On February 11th, Mr. Eden made a declaration saying he would not allow people into this country for this purpose.   What Sir Walter said about it was:-
(1) For our meeting in March we had to say that the Spaniards would not take part in any political meeting.   As a great favour they were allowed to speak on the question of the Fund only.    That arrangement was broken and the Home Office did not like it very much. Sir,Walter is perfectly certain that they won't give permission for these people to come in.
(2) We do not know who they are.   Whether they are politicians or what they are, nor their names. The Home Office always insists on having the names, what meetings they are proposing to address and other particulars.