Foreign News: Non-Resident

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Oddest fact about 70-year-old retired Major General Sir Reginald Ford, appointed Chief Divisional Food Officer for London and the Home Counties last August, is that he makes his home in Brussels, Belgium, 250 air miles away. His is mainly a wartime job and he is needed in London only for occasional consultation. Explained Sir Reginald recently: "Heavens, man, I can get to London quicker than I could if I lived in Scotland. ... I catch the 10 a.m. plane from Brussels and am in my office at 12:30 p.m."

Fortnight ago, M.P.s in the House of Commons took Sir Reginald to task for his residence abroad. Laborite Frederick J. Bellenger called it an "insult to public opinion." Laborite Albert V. Alexander pointed out scornfully that the General saves income taxes by living abroad. Joining the attack was Colonel Sir Joseph Nail, Conservative. Defending Sir Reginald was Oliver Stanley, president of the Board of Trade. Sir Reginald flew to London, denied he intended to resign, with military gruffness termed the M.P.s' attack "a lot of idle chatter. More like village gossip. Pity they haven't anything better to do."

But last week soldierly Sir Reginald wavered, retreated, resigned, fled to his home in suburban Brussels for good.