Test of Strength

Clement Attlee's Labor government last week faced its hardest important parliamentary test and every M.P. who could walk was in the House of Commons. Latecomers stood toe to heel in the back of the chamber. On Labor's front bench, little Clem Attlee, more inconspicuous than ever, was squeezed in between Deputy Prime Minister Herbert Morrison and Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Stafford Cripps.

The Laborites were plainly worried. The nine Liberals had decided to vote with the Tories against the government's proposal for a ninepence a gallon increase in the gasoline tax. Illness had reduced the slim Labor majority to the vanishing point.

When the bewigged House clerk intoned: "First resolution: hydrocarbon oils (rate of customs duty and rebate)," the Tories, who did not recognize this as a reference to the gasoline tax, were caught napping. The Speaker put the resolution to a voice vote, and the Laborites responded with a loud "aye." The Tories remained silent. "I think the ayes have it," said the Speaker. A roar of triumphant laughter burst from the Laborite benches. But the Laborites laughed too soon. Winston Churchill sat up sharply and whispered to Tory Whip Patrick Buchan-Hepburn. When the Speaker repeated the question Churchill and Buchan-Hepburn raised a loud Tory "no," and the Speaker called for a division of the House. The result: Aye, 304; No, 299. From the Labor benches came an audible sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, in a by-election in the constituency of West Dumbartonshire, Laborite Torn Steele had defeated Tory Robert Allan by a majority of only 293 to boost the government's overall parliamentary majority to seven. The Socialists got what temporary comfort they could from this, but the Tories did not leave them in peace for long. This week the government squeezed through by 279 to 278 in a division on the Transport Ministry appropriation.

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