London, Jan. 8.
A ministry of National Defence may be formed following the departure of Mr. Leslie Here-Belisha as head of the War Office and the appointment to that position of Mr. Oliver Stanley, the political editor of the "Daily Mail" predicted today.
This new body would have complete charge of all of Britain's armed forces, and if it becomes a reality, it is held to be almost certain that Mr. Winston Churchill now First Lord of the Admiralty, will head the new Ministry.
The Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, may be requested io summon a secret session of the House of Commons to explain Mr. Hore-Belisha's resignation if he thinks it unwise to give such explanations before a public session, it was learned.
It is the custom, it was pointed out, for resigning Ministers to speak to the House a last time to give their reasons for resignation. If the House meets in open session, Mr. Hore-Belisha may not wish to make any statements under present wartime conditions. At all events, it was learned, Mr. Chamberlain this week will meet Opposition leaders to discuss the reconstruction of the War Cabinet.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.