page 228 — February 1943

Beveridge report debate [in Parliament] has gone two days. … the House is very eager about getting on with it—it looks like a crisis, and govt. defeat if they don’t give. … zpl

[See note]

Friday 19^th

… The House of Commons rejected the Labour amendment [not to postpone proposed improvements in social security] by  230–119 (approx.) The biggest govt. opposition yet. One can see the govt. point of view, just, though I don’t agree, but one feels that the reasons given for the delay aren’t the only ones. zpl zpn

We had a lecture on the Indian Army by a real one; no gs in ‘ings’, and what a lot we’ve done for India, and how the trouble is only caused by a few agitators etc. etc. … zlu zpn

Monday 22^nd

… welcome letter from Mommy at Oxford. No houses [to be found there] at all for two years—rather depressing. Martin came down [home] for a day awfully tired again. zfl zil

Daddy replied to the slimy circular on Penzance potatoes like this “Potatoes, I think lifting them is a social necessity”. Good! They had tea zsu zhk