with HKK 243/
(8-79)
Patrons:
THE MARCHIONESS OF ABERGAVENNY
THE VISCOUNTESS ASTOR
MISS INGRID BERGMAN
SIR ROBERT BIRLEY, K.C.M.G.
MR. NORMAN COLLINS
THE LADY HARDING
THE EARL OF LONGFORD, P.C.
THE COUNTESS OF MARCH
MR. GORDON MAXWELL. J.P.
DAME ANNA NEAGLE
MR. TIMOTHY RAISON, M.P.
SIR ARTHUR RUCKER. K.C.M.G., C.B., C.B.E.
THE OCKENDEN VENTURE
(INCORPORATING LIFELINE)
OCKENDEN, GUILDFORD ROAD, WOKING, SURREY GU22 7UU.
TEL. WOKING 72012/3
REGISTERED UNDER THE CHARITIES ACT 1960. No. 200551.
Home, Health and Education for Displaced and Refugee Children
and Young People at Home and Overseas
MAJOR THE RT. HON. LORD ST. OSWALD, M.C., D.L.
MR. RICHARD TODD
THE REV. DR. ALEC VIDLER
RT. HON. DAVID ENNALS, M.P.
Chairman, MISS JOYCE PEARCE, M.B.E..M.A.
Hon. Treasurer. MR. MICHAEL ATKINSON Hon. Solicitor: MR. ROBERT LOCK
Executive Committee: MR. PETER BETTERIDGE DR. GEORGE BRAM
MR. STEPHEN COOKE
MISS MARGARET DIXON, B.A.
MISS RUTH HICKS, B.Sc.
MR. DENNIS LAMBERT. F.R.L.C.S. COL RONALD MENDAY. M.B.E., M.C. MRS. NESSIE SHAVE
MRS. MAUREEN REPASSY
MRS. ROSEMARY SHERBROOKE (Chairman of Lifeline Sub-Committee)
MR. PHILIP VANCE
SIR LESLIE KIRKLEY, C.B.E MISS MARY TANNER
JP/JB
The Rt. Hon. Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, M.P.,
10, Doming Street,
Whitehall,
London, S.7.1.
24th May, 1979
206.
Dear Mrs. Thatcher,
Your moving tribute to Airey Reave at his Memorial Service reminded me of my last conversation with him. This was at the award of the Ewart-Biggs Hemorial prize to Dervla Murphy a few months ago.
We were discussing the overall implications of the growing tide of violence and oppression and of people fleeing in fear in such large numbers, particularly in S.E. Asia. Airey was, as you probably know, for some time Chairman of the British Standing Conference on Refugees, of which I am currently one of the vice- chairmen. When I mentioned my conviction, despite the enormity of the present problem of world refugees, that this country had an important leadership role in terms of compassion and active concem for such victims of oppressive systems, he said in his quiet way "Let me know when you feel I can help".
When I heard that there was to be an election, I thought that that time was not far off. May I now, when your Govemment must be considering this area of concern, venture to suggest that Airey would have felt that there was much work - for Britain to do? For mysel, I cannot feel that it is right that we give lip service to concepts of freedom, without and despite our own troubles, making the maximum effort to assist those who are fleeing from tyrannical forms of government, wherever and whatever these may be.
May I take this opportunity to add my congratulations to the many you have received. This is a challenging time and you need great support to do what has to be done.
Yours very sincerely,
Joyce Pearce
(Joyce Pearce)