VIP Visit - Rt Hon Sir Stafford Cripps MP

Photograph of a VIP visit to Dowty Equipment, Arle Court by Rt Hon Sir Stafford Cripps MP, Minister of Aircraft Production c.1942

Sir Richard Stafford Cripps, CH, QC, FRS was a British Labour politician of the first half of the twentieth century.

A wealthy barrister by background, he entered Parliament at a by-election in 1931, and was one of a handful of Labour front-benchers to retain his seat in the general election that autumn

In 1942 Stafford succeeded Lord Beaverbrook as Minister of Aircraft Production and served successfully until the end of the War.

In 1943 he ordered an investigation into the management practices at Dowty following a complaint from a disgruntled consultant.

The company and Sir George were given a clean bill of health.

Stafford was a frequent visitor to Arle Court as he lived at Sapperton; he was not an easy guest for the cook, as he was a vegetarian.

Thanks to Martin Robins for contributing to this post