27 JANUARY 1996, Page 18

Fifty years ago

There has been considerable curiosity as to who was responsible for the brilliant idea of holding the Government's offi- cial dinner to the U.N.O. delegates in the Painted Hall at Greenwich. The function was an unqualified success and there is little doubt that the excellent precedent then set will be followed in the future. It was, I learn, the Prime Minister himself who thought of Green- wich. I don't know what Mr. Attlee's personal interest in Greenwich is, but the historical allusions in his admirable speech showed that he was handling a subject he knew well. But next time the guests should surely be taken down by water.

The Spectator 25 January 1946