Rumours of Ministerial changes are inevitable at such a stage
in any Government's career as this, and it is in fact probable enough that Mr. Attlee will have some to make before the House re- assembles. One indeed is certain. It is known that Lord Addison, vigorous though he is in spite of his seventy-seven years, wishes to retire from his post of Dominions Secretary. Lord Listowel, it has been observed, is available now that , the India Office has dis- appeared, but the Prime Minister might do much worse than move Mr. Noel-Baker, whose mind is essentially political, from the Air Ministry, where he has little but administrative work to do. Amateur Cabinet-makers—I for one—could help the Prime Minister quite a lot, but he is probably content with his own ideas. Many people would like to see Mr. James Griffiths Minister of Fuel and Power, but I doubt whether Mr. Shinwell will be shifted. About some of the other changes foreshadowed I am frankly sceptical. The recon- struction, I fancy, will be less extensive than the prophets have suggested. There is no virtue in musical chairs, and the supply of new blood of the first quality is limited.
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