10 SEPTEMBER 1948, Page 4

It is a curious thing that though the belief is

steadily growing that the Conservatives will win the next General Election they have still to score a gain at a single by-election. Nor have they any immediate prospect of that. Three seats are at present vacant, all held by Labour—Gorbals, Stirling and Falkirk, and Edmonton. The majorities at the General Election were respectively 15,804, 4,003 and 19,069. In mil) of these a Conservative gain is out of the question, though reductions in the Labour majority are likely enough. In Stirling and Falkirk, vacated through the death of Mr. Joseph Westwood, formerly Secretary for Scotland, there is undoubtedly a chance for the Opposition.