27 MARCH 1971, Page 5

Outside the Cabinet

Some distinguished ex-Cabinet minister could be found. John Boyd-Carpenter and Duncan Sandys are names which crop up in conversation. Other names will occur to different people. There is one name which crops up and occurs whenever anything in British politics is talked about for more than thirty seconds or so. I-le possesses the voice. the rhetoric, the administrative ability. He is also extremely interested in the Irish ques- tion. His name is Enoch Powell.

'The trouble is,' I said to a very highly placed man, 'that Ted would have to ask him.'

'Yes' he replied, 'that does make it a bit tricky.'