STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL.
REPORT OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE TRADES UNION CONGRESS, and EXECUTIVES OF THE PARLIAMENTARY LABOUR PARTY AND THE LABOUR PARTY, HELD AT TRANSPORT HOUSE, S.W.1, ON 28TH OCTOBER, 1936, AT 2.30 P.M.
MR. ERNEST BEVIN IN THE CHAIR.
The CHAIRMAN said they were met to consider the problem of Spain, and he called upon Sir Walter Citrine to give a report of the meeting of the two Internationals, held last Monday.
SIR WALTER CITRINE: "I think I had better go back to the Plymouth Resolution which after expressing that 'the utmost vigilance is necessary to prevent these solemn engagements being utilised to injure the Spanish Government, went on to declare 'that a special duty is incumbent upon the British Government to exercise in the fullest measure the influence it undoubtedly possesses over Portugal to ensure that its Government, which has aided and abetted the Rebellion, shall promptly and loyally co-operate in the carrying out of these agreements.'
"Attached to the resolution was the resolution of the Joint Meeting of the General Council of the Trades Union Congress, the National Executive of the Labour Party and the Parliamentary Labour Party. We expressed the clear opinion that we regretted it had been necessary to adopt a policy of non-intervention, and that vigilance would be necessary to see that the policy was not operated against the Spanish Government.
"It appears that the next stage was at Edinburgh. I was not there but most of you