27 DECEMBER 1940, Page 3

But the Prime Minister also referred to shelter conditions and

to long-term production planning for agriculture and shipbuilding. He cannot personally supervise these vital domestic problems. But he gave a broad hint that he realised their importance and that he wished Members to use their influence in the constituencies and factories to improve con- ditions on the home-front. So ended a speech which will not rank with famous utterances, which arose from a single sheet of note-paper, but which most Ministers would have been proud to have made after detailed and careful preparation. Leadership has come back, leadership in winning the war. This must come first. It is because there must be single- mindedness on the main issue that the Prime Minister wisely avoided for the moment discussion of other matters, including war-aims. The New Year's resolution comes direct from the top, " increasing vigilance and increasing effort."