Tim the country squre. over-subscribed share offer Hodge had a lot to be grateful for, The CHW — generally referred to by its managers and staff as simply the Bank of Wales - pulled together the varied activities of the Hodge empire. and enhanced its opportunitiesto fund and profit trom diverse enterprises.
It was George Thomas MOT InSTUmCaLa CWIR birth of the CBW. When the idea of TH anKAS0CC to nIa 1968 by a London financier, who had in nunc a Liberal Parly versión. Thomas stepped outside the Cardiff restaurant in which they were dining. and mentioned: What about Julian Hodget" Heswept his arm along the James Howell department store and added: "He owns all this, you know."
1 Almost no sooner said than done; although the full derails of the bank's formation have yet to be revealed. In 1968, Hodge Thomas to the Welsh Council. report prepared by the finance panel recommended that a financial institution with a commitment to Wales...a urgently required."
Jim the benkes frit The PInCE argument who was Secretary of State process of institution. It was by the then h Conne 4 council's appointment.* BISTAN Jim the policen's wice had heard -two were against the idea, two were for (but could provide little evidenceto support their view) and the only withess to put forward a serious confidentialy was Julian Hodge.
It dida't seem 1o bother Thomas Wales, part from being the best witness Hodge also happened to be a member of the panel and was actually in the serting left such to former CADBUE WINISGEOBD SCOTCHOUSe TO declare in the Commons shortly before DWa OTOr TaO TEat Tic ncaar the Civil Service had "named Sir Julian Hodge as a person who couldn'i be appointed to the Bank of England Court - alhough he was nominated Chancellór Exchequer (Callaghan) — because be was not a worthy person for the The civil serant concerned, Sir William Armstrong, now chairperson of the Midland Bank, has never publicly denied Stonebouse's reIf the Weish people harboured the Idea that the CBW was to be different trone there to te corected hey were shortly to be corrected. February 1972 Hodge prociaimed: 'It will be an independent bank with no Cording more tan lo per cert of the af omnpanies shares. Within eight manths it was to emerge that the First City Bank of theshares, and the Hodge Group itself fo tow de) por CCOE CONTACTS When Jim Callaghar spoke to his constituents following his appointment as Shadow Chancellor in 1961, betold them: "Oneof my first tasks will be torenew contracts with Welsh trade unionist industralsts, and business undertakings.' The trade unionists have been none too delighted with the resules of their" "contacts"
It is unlikely to be the Prime Minister, the Speiker of the House of Commons, nine of the Weish Labour MPs, or numerous local councillors and Labour Party officials in Wales who will open the books on Sir Juban Hodge's unfiniabed business.
Rebecca —a radical magazine activitea ot politicians and Hales SHEEALSES MISICHESS. Ut s ap lode pies poplus 10p TACIER Esplanade, Docks, Caerdydd since lur nester sonne wArOm THE Northem Alice; Forest Gato Britsh Micers Tania All, ecitor Socialisi JIM CALLAGHAN's life began in Farm, Dear Lewes in Sussex, which