Propose' Last Friday The Times and the Daily Tele- graph
were, I think, the only papers to carry the interesting footnote to the Prime Ministerl letter to Mr. Smith that the words, 'I propose to fly,' ‘N, ere an echo of the words used by Attlee to Truman in 1950 and had been sug- gested by Mr. Wilson, then the youngest member of the Labour Cabinet. Interesting indeed. Not difficult, I think, to trace the source—for this disclosure must have been issued by or authorised by the Prime Minister.
The scene is No. 10 Downing Street. Mr. Wilson is. puffing his pipe. Two reporters sit at his feet.
PM : . . . Now, one thing more. You'll notice the words 'I propose' (fourth and fifth words of the third line on the second page—you can check that I'm right): what do those words remind you of? Nothing? Well, I remember the message Clem Attlee sent to Harry Truman. Same words (sixth and seventh words, etc.—you can check that I'm right). Who do you think suggested them?
First Reporter: Mr. Attlee?
PM: No, no. It's not a Clem word at all. It's gritty, purposive.
Second Reporter: You mean?
PM: Frankly it would be wrong of me, quite wrong, to confirm that Clem Attlee turned to me for advice. As you., know, there are strict rules against revealing what went on in Cabinet, and I often keep them. But if you are using the story, and I can't confirm it mind you, will you put in that I was the youngest member of the Cabinet?
Previous page
