A SPECTATOR 'S NOTEBOOK
PARLIAMENT is getting into its stride. The opening sittings, in August, were unreal. There was the ceremonial of the royal opening, there was the universal relief and rejoicing over the sudden end of the Japanese war, there was the knowledge that little serious business would be done in the short sitting before the long adjourn- ment. Now the situation is different. Members have been in touch with their constituencies; they have the prospect of something like a year's clear run of legislation before them ; the first mild instalment of nationalisation is before the House ; the first divisions have taken place—on the vital question of controls ; Ministers have been suffi- ciently in action, even if only at question-time, to enable some estimate to be formed of their probable success or failure. Some estimate—but by no means a final estimate yet ; for that reason it would be unfair at this moment to mention individuals who look at present like finding their responsibilities too much for them. Curiously, the one on whom general curiosity and expectation has been most largely centred, Mr. Aneurin Bevan, has not so much as opened his mouth till this week, when it fell to him to answer a not unfriendly Opposition motion on housing. He produced more fireworks than figures, but exhilarated his supporters enormously.
* * *
Previous page
