31 DECEMBER 1954, Page 6

The Crystal Ball

Negative intelligence, they used to teach one in the Army, is often of the utmost value. Reversing the technique usually employed by prophets, I append a list of things which in niY view are not going to happen during 1955:

Mr. Graham Sutherland will not be commissioned to paint a portrait of Fox-hunter.

Mr. Aneurin Bevan will not make a profit on his farm. M. Khruschev will not diminish in importance.

Mr. Gilbert Harding will not have his name in the papoi,, on more than 350 days in the year.

The Prime Minister will not retire. S