12 SEPTEMBER 1946, Page 4

The Labour Party is no doubt congratulating itself on the

re- quisition of its latest recruit, Sir Ernest Simon... It has reason to, and it would not be surprising if it was soon finding him a seat and giving him office. Sir- Ernest has always hitherto been known as a staunch Liberal. The head of an important engineering firm, he is Chairman of Manchester University Council and has long been active in municipal matters in Manchester. Among the reasons for his decision, embodied in a letter in Wednesday's Manchester Guar- dian, is his conviction that Parliament must be run on a two-party system, and between the two main parties he cannot hesitate ; that raises 'important and far-reaching questions. The further explanation, that he is an ardent housing reformer, and is " impressed with the Government's plan for housing and the vigour with which it is acting

in this matter," might slightly startle Mr. Bevan himself.

* * * *