Notes for WSC's speech (County Hall, London) on: civil defence forces in London and Civil Defence Review [in Hyde Park]; conditions in London; the German bombing of London; the prospects for the future; improvements to defence and shelters; and British bombing of Germany.Typescript laid out in "psalm style" with manuscript annotations in black ink and red crayon by WSC, and with pencil notes of changes suggested by Herbert Morrison [Home Secretary].

This collection mainly consists of private papers and correspondence, 1885-1954, and family papers, 1783-1963. The material, especially the ministerial and ambassadorial papers, collected together by David Geddes provides an insight into the 1910s and 1920s. The collection also includes Geddes' writings on medical, spiritual and military matters.

Telegram from the Lord Privy Seal [Sir Stafford Cripps] (India) regarding the serious position in India with regard to ARP and fire fighting provision: comments on the existing position; details requirements for fire fighting personnel, trailer pumps and hose, and instructors for ARP schools. Annotated: "Phoned Mr Harrison, India Off" [Francis Harrison, Assistant Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for India].

Letter from WSC to Sir John Anderson [later 1st Lord Waverley Lord President of the Council] marked "Personal and Private" stating that he has no objections to him returning to his house and that he has not yet returned to No 10 on the advice of the Civil Aviation Service as the building is so old that even a near miss by a heavy bomb may bring it down and informing him that trouble in Dudley's domestic affairs may lead to comment by the palace. Signed.

Letter from WSC to Major-General 2nd Lord Loch enclosing a note reassuring him on the roles of the police and Civil Defence Services in the event of an invasion.

Letter from WSC to Sir John Squire thanking him for his letter on the Home Guard and agreeing that a dress rehearsal for invasion is a very good idea.

Letter from WSC to [Harold] Vincent Tewson [Assistant Secretary, Trades Union Congress] on Fire Precaution Orders; Government did not consult the Trades Union Congress due to the extraordinary circumstances of the incendiary bombing of London.

Letter from Alexander Duckham to Anthony Bevir [Private Secretary to WSC] enclosing letter to Sir John Anderson [Home Secretary later 1st Lord Waverley] with a suggestion for changing the Air Raid Warning note from "the demoralising wail of the amorous gargantuan tom cat" to the "cock-a-doodle-doo" signalling "defiance and triumph". [Carbon].

Note from "J M M" [Prime Minister's Private Secretary John Martin] to WSC on the functions of Sir Hugh Elles as Chief of the Civil Defence operational staff: concentrating on operations ratther than training, acting as a link between the Minister of Home Security [Sir John Anderson, later 1st Lord Waverley] and the Service Departments, and leading the Home Security War Room.

Letter from WSC to Major-General Sir Alfred Knox informing him that rifles are not being sent to the Soviet Union: "On the contrary, we suggested to them that they might let us have a quarter of a million from their very large stocks. They were mildly surprised"; discusses supplies to the Home Guard in Buckinghamshire.