GAINS BY LABOUR

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30411, 9 April 1964, Page 15

GAINS BY LABOUR

Local Body Poll In U.K. (N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) LONDON, April 8.

The Labour Party scored early gains today in county council elections which are expected to give a vital pointer to Britain’s next Government

With nine counties declared, a Press Association tabulation showed Labour had wrested a net gain of 18 seats from Conservatives and their supporters. Its most spectacular success was to win control of Nottinghamshire, a Midland industrial county. Voting will continue through the week in 44 other counties. The big test will come tomorrow with voting for the Greater London Council, embracing more than one sixth of the national electorate. The London voting is expected to play a dominant role in the Prime Minister’s impending decision on w’hen to call the General Election, which he can do any time before his Government’s fiveyear term expires in November.

The Prime Minister, Sir Alec Douglas-Home, held a private opinion poll among his key Ministers last night on the timing of the election. The Prime Minister alone takes the final decision, but he will take into account the views of senior colleagues on the rival claims of May, June or October as the election month.

An authoritative Government source said last night that no decision had yet been taken and no announcement was expected within the next 24 hours.