| Main Performers | IOD Chairman,
Paul Chambers (IOD President)
Baron Lionel Charles Robbins,
Alexandr Soldatov (Soviet Ambassador to the UK),
George Woodcock (General Secretary of the T.U.C.),
Major-General Sir Edward Spears,
Peter Scott,
Sir Alec Douglas-Home - speakers |
| Performance Notes | Mr Woodcock gave a speech warning against a temporary wage freeze. He was one of several speakers that formed a more diverse panel than previously, including the Soviet Ambassador to Great Britain, Alexandr Soldatov. During his speech, Sir Alec Douglas-Home quipped, 'I find the Soviet Ambassador here in a nest of capitalists'. Mr Sodatov pressed for more trade between the two countries.
Mr Paul Chambers urged the Government to abandon their steel proposals. Lord Robbins and Mr George Woodcock both discussed the unions' role in any incomes negotiations.
"Sir Alec Douglas-Home, who was given a standing ovation, said that if Britain was to have a hand in preventing war she must maintain the deterrent, for without it she would not be at the point of ultimate decision in a nuclear age. He requested Mr Soldatov to report his words to Moscow."
(The Times, 6 November 1964)
The 5,000 IOD members present were each presented with a boxed lunch, now synonymous with the anual IOD meeting. The contents included pate, cold lamb cutlet, cold chicken and a bottle of wine. |
| Related Archival Material | B&W photograph of the Soviet Ambassador Alexandr Soldatov and Major-General Sir Edward Spears eating lunch at the IoD conference (RAHE/3/1964/1) |