Mr. Watkinson Boosts His Vote
Page 44
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AS a fitting tribute to his work as Minister of Transport, Mr. Harold Watkinson held his seat at Woking in the General Election with an increase in his majority of nearly 5,000. Mr; G. R. H. Nugent, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry, increased his majority by more than 2,000.
Mr. J. Peyton (Yeovil), chairman of the Conservative Party Parliamentary transport committee, came back with an
easy majority. Mr. G. Wilson, vicechairman of the committee, was returned at Truro. The two honorary secretaries, Mr. L. N. Thomas (Canterbury) and Mr. W. Whitelaw (Penrith and the Border) both raised their majorities.
The following are among the Government supporters who take an interest in transport and held their seats, mostly with higher majorities:— MT. N. J. Cole (Bedfordshire S.). Mr, R. G. Page (Crosby), Viscount Hinchlogbrooke (Dorset S.), Sir Ralph Glyn (Dorset N.), Mr. R. Reader Harris (Heston and Isleworth), Mr. A. H. E. Molson (High Peak), Mr. D. L, M. Renton (Huntingdonshire), Mr. 0. D. N. Nabarro (Kidderminster), Sir Wave!! Wakefield (St. Marylebonc), Mr. S. J. McAdden (Southend E.), Mr. R. Gresham Cooke (Twickenham). Mr. B. Braise (Essex SE.), Mr. J. R. Bevins (Toxteth), Mr. C. Osborne (Lough). Mr. G. Rippon (Norwich S.). and Mr. 1. E. Powell (Wolverhampton S.W.).
Apparently nettled by the result of the Election, Labour Party headquarters refused to give The commercial Motor any information about their Parliamentary transport committee, but the following arc among the Socialists who speak on transport in the House of Commons and held their seats, in most cases with lower majorities:— Mr. H. Hyod (Accrington), Mr. A. Robcns (Blyth). Mr. P. McLeavy (Bradford El, Mr. L. 1. Callaghan (Cardiff S.E.), Mr. M. Edelman (Coventry Ni, Mr. W. T. Proctor (Eccles). Mr. G. R. Mitchison (Kettering), Mr. T. C. Pannell (Leeds W.), Mr. B. Janner (Leicester NW.), Mr. D. Jay (Battersea N.), Mr. R. I. Mellish (Bermondsey), Mr. E. Popplewell (Newcastle upon Tyne W.), MTR. T. Paget (Northampton), Mr. G. A. Pargiter
(Southall) and Mr. F. Allaun (Salford E.).
Mr. Edwin Malindine, divisional sales manager of Sternol, Ltd., who. stood as Liberal candidate for Cornwall North, polled the high number of 15,712 'votes, against 16,701 by his Conservative opponent and 3,389 by the Labour candidate.
Early this week it was thought that Mr. Watkinson might be given a new post. Mr. Macmillan has to appoint a Minister of Science and replace a junior Minister who was not re-elected. Speculation was that Mr. Watkinson might succeed Mr. lain McLeod at the Ministry of Labour, and might be replaced as Minister of Transport by Mr. Nugent.
Another suggestion was that Mr. Watkinson might take the place of Sir David Eccles at the Board of Trade.