Letter from Frederick H. Boland to Seán Nunan (Dublin)
(Confidential)

Dear Seán,
I mentioned in a recent report that I would try to get Nye Bevan to intervene in the House of Commons debate on the Private Members Motion about Partition on 1st June; it would be most useful if he could be got to say something.

I have come to the conclusion, on consideration, that a direct personal approach to Bevan himself would be a mistake. He is the sort of man to resent any suggestion of being 'used'. I have decided, accordingly, to make the effort through Michael Foot who everybody tells me has more influence on Nye Bevan than anyone else in his following. The Foots are dining with us on Saturday night and I will put the thing to Michael then.

I gather from rumours that the prospects of success are not very bright. Bevan's ultimate aim is the Premiership and he may feel he would do himself harm by taking too positive a stand on the Partition issue. I intend to hint to Michael Foot, however, that even if Bevan does not make a speech, he might at least put a question or two to Anthony Eden who, we understand, will be closing for the Opposition, of such a nature as to convey Bevan's dislike and detestation of the Tory bigotry of the Six Counties authorities. Even if we only got this, the evidence it would give of Bevan's sympathy would be of value.

I wonder would you ask Conor O'Brien, who is so deeply versed in the whole subject, whether he could suggest to me two or three telling questions which I might give Michael Foot for Bevan's consideration. I could, of course, pick some examples myself out of Bing's pamphlet and the recent All Party Brochure but I would like to know what suggestions Conor would make. Questions about discrimination on religious or political grounds in the matter of employment, houses, etc. are more likely to be acceptable to Bevan than questions about things like the Flag incident.