ABSTRACT
WhenSirAlfredWebb-Johnson,PresidentoftheRoyalCollegeof Surgeons,decidedtoinvitethenewandinexperiencedMinisterofHealth, AneurinBevan,totheprestigiousCafeRoyalfordinnerhemadeatactical error.Farfrombeingillateaseintheelegantsurroundings,Bevansettled comfortablyintooneofhisfavoriteprewarhauntsanddevouredanuncommonlylargeplateofoysters.Hecouldnotresistflingingabarb:"WhenIwas anipperwecouldbuythatlotforafewpence;thenthepricewentupwhen Mayfairthoughttheywereaphrodisiacs."1Timeandagainthenewminister wouldrepeattheexperience,sabotaginganylingeringpreconceptionsconcerningthedegreeofcivilityanex-minercouldpossess.Butthemeeting withWebb-JohnsonandotherHarleyStreeteminencesachievedaspecial importanceinthetroubledperiodtofollow.LikeBevan,Webb-Johnsonpossessedakeenandlivelymindwhichreveledindiscussionsandargument. Bevanopenedalineofcommunicationwhichwouldprovemorethanuseful inhiscampaignofdivideandconquer.
