Scottish Committee and food for Spain : memorandum of telephone message from Vincent Tewson

              MEMORANDUM OF INTERVIEW.
Date 13th September 1938	
Time 11. 30 a.m.	
SUBJECT. SCOTTISH COMMITTEE AND FOOD FOR SPAIN.
Reference WJB/EAB.
Present
TELEPHONE MESSAGE FROM H. V. TEWSON? SPEAKING FROM THE OFFICES OF THE SCOTTISH T.U.C.
Mr. Tewson reported that arrangements have been made to send a Scottish food ship to Spain. They have raised about £2,500 and have purchased 300 tons of foodstuffs. They have got a boat lent free of charge by the owners, and although there has been some publicity as to its name, the correct name has not been given for obvious reasons. The boat sails on the 25th September.
Mr. Tewson stated he had had a meeting with Mr. Elger together with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Scottish T.U.C., when it had been suggesed that the International Solidarity Fund should make them a grant which would enable them to bring the total consignment of foodstuffs to 500 tons, and thus complete the cargo.
Mr. Tewson thought that the National Council of Labour would not give a money grant nor a grant of food to the Committee as suggested, because this would create a precedent. The point is, however, as to whether it might not be advisable to take the opportunity of sending 200 tons of goods to Spain without incurring any freight charges.
They had been in touch with the Spanish Consul, and the boat itself had certain goods on board which are to be delivered to the Scottish Ambulance Unit at Valencia for Madrid. They have learned from the Spanish Consul that the food can be consigned to Barcelona via France.
There was also a very great need of food in Valencia.
Mr. Tewson told them that he had been advised in regard to consignments that these had been sent recently from this country to Barcelona. He suggested getting in touch with Schevenels to ask him whether the ship should go to Valencia or Barcelona. The food had already been bought and the selection was quite good. What they required was exact information from Schevenels as to how the goods should be consigned and marked.
He also wanted Schevenels' opinion as to whether there was any danger in the long sea route being made by this ship. Is it advisable for the goods to be landed at Bordeaux and transhipped through France via Cervera, where they could be loaded on lorries for Barcelona.
To sum up:
Get into touch with Schevenels to see:
(1) Whether he has any information which would warrant the goods going to Valencia for Madrid (instead of Barcelona).