MR. CHURCHILL’S RETURN

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 January 1944, Page 5

MR. CHURCHILL’S RETURN

ATTENDANCE AT COMMONS

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS

LONDON, Januarq 18. Mr. Churchill arrived in London this morning at 10 o’clock. He was accompanied by Mrs. Churchill, tn... daughter, Mrs. Oliver, and by Lord Moran. . . , , His arrival was semi-private, inc Prime' Minister went direct to the House of Commons, where he was enthusiastically greeted. The first question he had an answer in the House was whether he intended to relieve himself of some of the burdens of office. He replied that at present he did not plan to alter his routine. , . Mr. Churchill announced m the Commons that a Government White Paper on social security should be ready for publication in February, or, at the latest, in March. He also said that he hoped,.to make a statement on the war situation soon. Extraordinary precautions were taken for Mr. Churchill’s safety on his arrival in England. Few service officials at the place where he arrived knew of his impending arrival, and all points were closely guarded. The Premier left for London in a special train, all windows of which were covered. NOTABLE CALLERS.

RUGBY, January 18. The special train on which Mr. Churchill returned to London at 10 a.m. to-day was met a large gathering of Ministers, Service Chiefs, and relations. His appearance in the Commons within an hour was the occasion for cheering. Replying to a questioner who asked if he could make a statement on the progress of operations in Italy, Mr. Churchill said he would like in the near future to make a statement to the House about the general progress of the war. including Italy, but would ask for more latitude about the actual date. Asked by Captain Plugge what steps he was taking to reduce some of his official burdens with a view to conserving his health, Mr. Churchill replied: “I am obliged to ray honourable friend for his solicitude, but I have no changes at present to propose.” Mr. Churchill was received in audience by the King at Buckingham Palace and remained to lunch with His Majesty. Further details of Mr. Churchill’s recent movements, now given, show that he arrived at Carthage from Cairo on December 11, meaning to stay a day or so with General Eisenhower before visiting the Italian front. He was, however, taken ill and only on December 27 had sufficiently recovered to make an' air journey. That day he flew over the Atlas Mountains to Marrakesh, where he had been invited by the American High Command to spend his convalescence. There a villa with a beautiful garden, kept by the American authorities for the use of distinguished guests, was placed at his disposal. It was the same villa where he stayed with President Roosevelt after the Casablanca Conference. ,Mr. Churchill remained constantly in touch with London and affairs of State. Nevertheless, he spent as much time as possible out of doors, leaving the villa about noon. It was his practice to motor with Mrs. Churchill and his daughter, Section Officer .Alice Churchill, Lord Moran and members of his staff, and to lunch in an olive grove or by the side of a mountain stream. On one occasion' he drove high into the mountains above the snow line and left the car at various points to admire the scenery. Even on days when he did not. go for a picnic the weather was such that he could lunch in the garden of the villa. Lord Beaverbrook has been with Mr. Churchill throughout bis visit. Generals Montgomery, Eisenhower, and Bedell Smith visited him there, as well as General Georges. Dr. Benes and the Russian Ambassador to Czechoslovakia (Mr. Lebedev) remained for ,i night cu route to England. Other visitors included General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson, General Alexander, Mr. Duff Cooper, Mr. Harold MacMillan, and General de Gaulle.