Sir, Sir Roderick Barclay, who was Ernest Bevin’s private secretary, records that his boss was a strong supporter of blood sports (Ernest Bevin and the Foreign Office, 1932-69, published by the author, 1975).
When there was a debate in the House on some backbencher’s anti-hunting Bill, Bevin insisted on going, even at some inconvenience, to record his vote against it. He had enjoyed following hounds in his youth and anyhow “was opposed to legislating about people’s pastimes”.
Come back old Labour, all is forgiven.
Yours faithfully,
DAVID COLVIN,
(HM Diplomatic Service, 1966-2001),
15 Westmoreland Terrace, SW1V 4AG.
February 18.