13 APRIL 1951, Page 5

The return of Sir Arthur Salter for Ormskirk was, of

course. a foregone conclusion, but the increase in the Conservative majority was not. The fact that on a relatively small poll the Conservative vote dropped by 4,500 and the Labour vote by 5,500, thus raising the majority from 14,071 to 15,583, is one more indication of the way the tide is slowly flowing. But the result, no doubt, loses some of its significance if it is the case, as it well may be. that many Conservatives did not trouble to vote on the ground that it was unnecessary, and many Labour supporters on the ground that it was purposeless. With Sir Arthur's return five out of the twelve evicted University Members are now back in the House.

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