U.K. FOREIGN SECRETARY

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28542, 22 March 1958, Page 13

U.K. FOREIGN SECRETARY

Prediction Of Change (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, March 21. The “Daily Herald” reported today, under banner headlines, that drastic Cabinet changes were certain in the near future. Mr Selwyn Lloyd, the Foreign Secretary, had returned from the S.E.A.T.O. conference, the “Daily Herald” said, and had gone straight to see the Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan) at his country home at Chequers. There, they had discussed Mr Lloyd’s retirement from the Foreign Office.

The “Daily Herald” said that Mr Lloyd did not want to continue as Foreign Secretary and was conscious of bitter criticism not only from the Labour side of the House of Commons but also from Conservative back-benchers. The next Foreign Secretary was likely to be Mr R. A. Butler or Mr Duncan Sandys, It said. The “Daily Herald’s” political correspondent added that if it became certain that the . United States and Canada were, to have a really serious slump, Mr Macmillan might also consider holding a General Election in May. “Snap” election planfe would not be put into operation, the correspondent added, unless the effects of an American slump would make the British Government’s position by autumn even more hopeless than it was now. The correspondent said that May 22 was a possible election date.