My dear Prime Minister,

I have received a telegram from Mr. Attlee asking me to inform you that, subject to your convenience, he is proposing to arrange for Sir Norman Brook, Secretary to the Cabinet, who will be in charge of the secretarial arrangements for the meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers in October, to pay a flying visit to Ottawa in the near future, for the purpose of conveying to you a personal communication from himself. He would propose that after delivering this communication to you Sir Norman should then fly on to Canberra and Wellington with a view to conveying a similar communication to Mr. Chifley and Mr. Fraser.

I understand, very confidentially, that the reason for Sir Norman's proposed visit is that Mr. Attlee thinks that it may be desirable on the occasion of the October meeting of Prime Ministers (though not in full conference) to discuss certain questions affecting the constitutional development of the Commonwealth, and he would like to consult you, and also Mr. Chifley and Mr. Fraser, on the point with a view to your turning these matters over in your mind before October. For reasons which you will appreciate, Mr. Attlee attaches extreme secrecy to the suggestion and is most anxious that there should be no outward indication that any such ideas are in mind.

Should it be possible for you to receive Sir Norman Brook in the near future Mr. Attlee would propose that he should visit Ottawa from the 13th† - 17th† August, proceeding thence to Wellington (24th - 27th August) and Canberra (31st August - 2nd September). Mr. Attlee is most anxious not to disturb you at a time when you will be wishing to take a rest after the strain of the Parliamentary Session and the Liberal Convention, but he would be most grateful if you would consent to receive Sir Norman as his emissary, and in that event perhaps you would be so kind as to say whether the dates proposed for his visit to Ottawa would be convenient to you.

It is hoped that Sir Norman's visit would not attract publicity, but if explanations have to be given it is proposed to say that he is visiting Canada and other Commonwealth countries in order to discuss procedure for the October meeting of Prime Ministers - since as Secretary of the United Kingdom Cabinet he will be in charge of the secretarial arrangements for the meeting.

Yours sincerely,
ALEC CLUTTERBUCK