from a Mancheste: reader
George Brown's absolute contempt for the opinions of the rank the labour movement could not be more clearly expressed than in tela: * correspondence, between the foreign secretary ‘and a well-known Labour Party activist from Lancashire, Councillor N.V. Weall, Councillor. Weall wrote to Mr. Brown just before Christma interview, As he explained: ; "I was recently responsible for convening a conference in Manahester to discuss the war in Vietnam, Over 70 organisations sent delegates, and I have been greatly encouraged by the support I have received, At the conference I was asked to try and arrange for a deputation to wait on the
8, to ask for an
Prime Minister, during his recent visit to the area,
"I was informed, however, by the Prime Minister that his visit would be an extremely short. one which would not permit time for him to receive us, and that, in any case _ this was a. matter for your Ministry, and that it would be better, in the ‘first place, if the approach was made to yourself, I am, therefore, writing to request that you receive a deputation of prominent citizens from the area, to discuss the need for Her Majesty's Government to assist in the promotion of peace in Vietnam," ~ Mr. Brown, after thanking Councillor Weall for his letter, replied as follows: he "T do not think that anyone can have the slightest doubt that the British. Government are acutely aware of the need to promote peace in Vietnam or that they have: been making vigorous and persistent efforts to create a climate in which negotiations could take place and an end be put to the ware...’ After repeating the story of his various trick "initiatives" as a ‘uediator" (would any citizen accept a pickpocket's offer as an arbitrator between himself and the man who had just stolen his watch?) - Mr, Brown went on to brusguely reject the appeal: "In these circumstances I do not think that the subject you propose needs any discussion between us, nor in the absence of a response from Hanoi to the various initiatives that have been made do I think I would have anything to add to what I have said in public, both in the House of Commons and, most recently, in my speech at Belper on 7th January..."