Spanish Medical Aid Committee : inter-departmental correspondence

              I.C.3.
TRADES UNION CONGRESS GENERAL COUNCIL.
INTER-DEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE.
From  DR. H.B. MORGAN.   Department Social Insurance.
To MR. H.V. TEWSON.   Date 21st December, 1936.
SUBJECT.
SPANISH MEDICAL AID COMMITTEE.
I regret to have to inform you that at the meeting of the Spanish Medical Aid Committee, held on Friday night last (18/12/36), Mrs. Leah Manning was appointed as Hon. Secretary of the Committee in place of Dr. Chas. Brook, whose services will be retained as Hon. Medical Secretary. I opposed this appointment vigorously, and brought forward every possible argument against it. I received no support at all from the recognised Labour supporters on the Committee. Dr. Somerville Hastings supported my plea for a paid organiser temporarily, and admitted it was the best plan, but at the end my vote was the only dissentient vote, and I asked emphatically that my dissenting votes should be recorded on the Minutes. There were present:
Dr. Somerville Hastings, L.C.C.     Mrs. I. Brown.
Dr. Chas. Brook, L.C.C.     Lady Hastings.
Dr. Gillison, L.C.C.     Prof. Marrack.
Dr. Jeger, L.C.C.     Dr. H. Boyde.
Mr. A. Peacock.
Dr. D'Arcy Hart.
Dr. Tudor Hart.
Mr. Sinclair Loutit was present as Granen Administrator, but is not a member of the Committee.
The list is divided into two for directional purposes. The four on the right hand side may be regarded as voting together on Communist lines. Mrs. J. Brown is the only acknowledged Communist. The others deny Communist membership, but Dr. Boyde is an ex-Communist.
On the left hand  side the first five (and myself) are definitely non-Communist. I enquired about Dr. Jeger, and I am told that in his case that is so. Dr. Tudor Hart is the Labour L.C.C. candidate for Brixton and denies Communist membership.
Dr. D'Arcy Hart occupies a peculiar position. He is said to be non-attached and if anything Liberal in politics, but he frequently votes with Prof Marrack.
Had the avowed Labour members voted with me against Mrs. Manning's appointment, even if all the others had voted for it, I could with my casting vote have stopped the appointment.
There was no formal application from Mrs. Manning in writing before the Committee. It was proposed by Prof. Marrack and supported by Mrs. Brown. I said I had received a private letter from Mrs. Manning (not yet answered) but viewing the proposal with marked disfavour.
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