Parliamentary Notes Our Parliamentary Correspondent writes : The Whitsun adjournment
brings a short but welcome break in the Parlia- mentary time-table. Ministers are no doubt congratulating themselves on the way in which they have come through the tribulations of the past five months. Both they and the Government Whips have reason to be gratified, for there were moments when they appeared to be in real danger. Nevertheless it would be a mistake to imagine that their hold upon Parliament is as strong as it was at the beginning of the year. The temper of the House of Commons has undergone a marked change, and back-benchers are much more restive than they were before Christmas. This is partly due to the slackening in trade and consequent increase in unemployment. It may also be that Mr. Eden's resignation is a contributory cause, at any rate among some of the younger Conservatives. The main reason, however, is unquestionably the widespread uneasiness on the subject of our defence preparations. Mainly as a result of Mr. Churchill's speeches, the feeling in favour of a Ministry of Supply is growing.
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