MR. ATTLEE SAID TO BE RESIGNING

Chronicle (Levin), 21 August 1947, Page 5

MR. ATTLEE SAID TO BE RESIGNING

LOXDOX, August 19. Mr. Attlee has told his closest colleagues in the Govemment that, for reasons of health, he yitends to resign the Premiership in the near future, says the Daily Mail's political corree^onaent. _ • . Diseussions about , a c'hange-round .in Cabinet posts are no,w taking - plafe. tt was saijl ih.. usufiily yvell-iri^orm^ci eircles that Mr. Attlee will nomiriate Mr. Ernest Bevin- as his suecessor, As late as August 17 Mr. Attlee is said to have agreed to carry on as Prime Minister until the dollar talks in Washington had passed their most eritical stage. ' The strain of, two years' supreine responsibility has taken toll of his none too robust constitution. Without doubt the recent unrest in the Labour Party must have reinforced Mr. Attlee 's deeision to lieed medical adviee. In certain circumstances Mr. Herbert Morrison might have been the autumatic suecessor. Apparently Mr. Morrison feels he eannot at this time undertalce all the responsibilities involved. He, too, has been under a strain. Sir Stafford Cripps is already mentioned as the new Chancellor of the Exchequoi'. The appointment would create an opportunity for IMr. Dalton to take Mr. Bevin 's plaee at the Foreign Office. The change in the Premiership, according to the inforniation availabifc tonight, is at present timed for early in September.