Record

LevelFile
Finding Number (Click this to view full catalogue structure)NCLAdd/48-51
TitleLetters from Neville Chamberlain to Sir Leslie Frederic Scott
Extent4 items
Date1930
DescriptionPhotocopies of letters, dated 9-29 July, in which Chamberlain, 37 Eaton Square [London], writes further to an article that Scott (1869-1950), MP, had written, in the Daily Express, 9 July, concerning trade with countries in the British Empire. Addressing him mostly as 'My dear Leslie', Chamberlain comments on the significance of differences of opinion being expressed within the Conservative Party, and criticises Scott for emphasising them

/48 Letter, dated 9 July, marked private

/49 Letter, dated 15 July, in which Chamberlain argues that differences within the Party 'are arising out of misunderstandings'. He asks Scott to explain how the Beaverbrook-Melchett policy regarding the importation of Imperial Products into Britain is superior to the Party's policy

Chamberlain was referring here to William Maxwell Aitken, first Baron Beaverbrook (1879-1964) and Alfred Moritz Mond, first Baron Melchett (1868-1930). Beaverbrook pressed for Empire Free Trade and owned the Daily Express in which Scott's article was published

/50 Letter, dated 17 July, in which Chamberlain suggests that Beaverbrook is misleading his audiences in his promotion of his own policy. Chamberlain believes his views differ from Scott's only in terms of whether or not there should be a Referendum, saying for himself that whilst he believes it to be 'a very dangerous gamble', 'he would rather win the next election with it, than lose it without it'

/51 Letter, dated 29 July
Access StatusOpen