2110-5-12-15

St . Stephen's House, London, S . W. 1 . 20th April, 1932.

My own darling

I scribbled you a line last night after the Budget. I never thought I should feel sorry for Neville, who is always armed cap- a- pie; but I was really sorry for him yesterday. He had a thoroughly hostile House before he finished, and it was not a good speech. His weak voice made it one long schoolmasterish recitative, and his attempt at a peroration was disastrous. It was an honest Budget, but I think a mistaken one; it would have been more truly prudent to gamble a little and reduce the taxation. We shall probably hear a great deal about this in the next few days.

I dined at The Club - rather a dull dinner. I talked to Austen Chamberlain, Kenyon, and Sumner. I went back early to bed, where I read a •uort but very amusing P. G. Woodhouse novel.

Today I have a lot of arrears to make up. I am seeing Duncan at three o'clock about Marnie's affairs, and then take the Chair at five o'clock at a meeting at the House about the Cinema Bill.

I fear I shall have to speak at the House on Friday on the Colonial Estimates, so you might tell Webb to meet the 4.45.

It is still cold here, but it looks brighter, and I do hope the family will have good weather for their journey to the West. Remind Bill seriously about his holiday task.

I am very well. Much love . John