Herbert Morrison, MP and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, interviewed by Stephen Black in the series 'Personal Call', broadcast on the BBC's overseas service London Calling Asia, 28 June 1954. BBC Summary:Black: Describes Morrison's room in House of Commons, where he now is. Notices despatch case marked "Foreign Secretary". Morrison: Moments of that office. Various offices from 1929. Born at Brixton, his father a local police constable. Educated elementary school and worked as a shop assistant as a boy. Interested in politics from age 16 or 17: studied the parties and their politicians. Night school: wide reading. Joined Socialist movement at 18: candidate for Lambeth Metropolitan Borough Council at 23 but did not get in. Lesson of that poll. Motivating desire to be of public service. Hates careerism: only aim is to be useful. Co-opted Mayor of Hackney at 32. Was secretary of London Labour Party then. Parliamentary career an "accident" - started with vacancy in South Hackney. Career in LCC: its leader from 1934-40. Personal life: marriage. Work on land in World War I as conscientious objector: discusses that decision. 1st office as Cabinet Minister: Minister of Transport in Labour Government 1929-31, member of Cabinet towards end. What Cabinet room looks like: layout of a meeting and procedure: final test in a decision always public interest. Civil Defence, Home Office. Night of blitz, 7th September 1940. Lived "on job" in Home Office during blitz. Problems of a Home Secretary: executions and reprieves: reaching a decision. Present home in Eltham, alone since wife died last year. Interests: reading, walking, driving car, television, writing and broadcasting. Last book just published Government and Parliament. Foreign Secretary one of most interesting jobs - dangerous, but glad to have had the experience. Future? Does not know, will "wait till it happens".