Scope and Contents Speech notes, typescript and galley proofs for WSC's speech (5 March, House of Commons) entitled "Defence" on subjects including: WSC's resignation as Minister of Defence; the Conservatives' voting on defence while in Opposition; the short-fall of defence spending; aid from the United States; the scarcity of home defence, and the training of new forces, including the registration of the Home Guard and forming of new battalions; the extension of National Service; armoured forces and new...

Scope and Contents Speech notes for WSC's speech (8 March 1948, House of Commons) on navy estimates including: the absence of enemies at sea; the importance of the navy to sustaining the British empire; criticism of the Labour government's secrecy about their naval policy and naval estimates; previous mistakes in naval policy; the scrapping of ships; and his experiences as First Lord of the Admiralty. Source material includes: notes from Elizabeth Gilliatt [Secretary to WSC] and "N S" ["Jo" Sturdee, later Lady...

Scope and Contents Copy of a letter from WSC to Stanley Baldwin, Prime Minister, marked "secret and personal" on the need to "dominate events lest we be submerged by them", reflecting on achievements of the government but predicting bleak prospects for the next year as the government has not been successful, his own efforts to reduce expenditure have failed, the Factory and Poor Law Bills and Franchise will not support them, and advising that a constructive measure is needed. He seeks Baldwin's support for...