20 MAY 1949, Page 5

The enterprising publishers of the well-known Britain in Pictures series

are issuing next week, with an eye no doubt to events a year ahead, three volumes on the three main political parties by prominent members of each of them—Mr. Glenvil Hall, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, dealing with Labour, Mr. Nigel Birch, M.P., with Conservatism and Mr. R. J. Cruikshank, Editor of the News Chronicle, with Liberalism (of the Independent variety). These are not subjects that lend themselves conspicuously to pictorial treatment,' and I see that only in the case of Labour is the leader of the party given the honour of a frontispiece, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel (in company) being preferred for the Conservatives and Mr. Gladstone (in a bus, not therefore presumably in a hurry) for. the Liberals. I should get Mr. Cruikshank to review Mr. Birch, Mr. Glenvil Hall to deal with Mr. Cruikshank, and Mr. Birch to express himself on Mr. Hall. I commend the suggestion to myl colleague who orders such things.

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