Select Committee On Army Act And Air Force Act Reports With Evidence

This hardcover book comprises the HMSO reports, 1952-1954, bound together:
First Report, Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 17th July 1952
Second Report, Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 28th October 1952
Special Report, Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 31st March 1953
Report, Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 20th October 1953
Report, Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 20th July 1954

London: HMSO 1954-1954 all First Editions.
Original wraps to all except the first bound in.
Hard cover book in original dark blue buckram.
Title in gilt on spine.
Edges sprinkled red.

This book was Sir Patrick Spens’ copy, (Chairman of the Select Committee) with his ownership inscription to the verso of the ffep. House of Commons embossed notepaper with the signatures of all the committee members mounted on the first blank page.

At the back of the book are 2 tipped in letters:

Letter from Winston Churchill to Sir Patrick Spens, Chairman of the Select Committee, thanking him for “his hard work…” dated October 22, 1954. 2 pages on Downing Street notepaper.

Draft reply from Spens to Churchill (My dear Prime Minister) dated October 26 1954. 1 page (front & back) from 12, Kings Bench Walk, Inner Temple, E.C.4

Both letters are in Excellent Condition.

In two and half years the Committee met 71 times and produced the 5 reports collected here, resulting in Key Legislation from Churchill’s Second Term.

Churchill acknowledged the tireless effort it turned out to be when he wrote to Spens:

“Perhaps no one fully realised when the Committee started work in May 1952 what an onerous task lay ahead.”

Book: Excellent Condition

Item #593