Thatcher move arouses speculation on election

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher plans to meet 100 new parliamentary candidates, giving rise to fresh speculation she will name June as the date of Britain's general election.

Party aides said the meeting merely represented prudent preparations for the election. But the Observer said it indicated a June election was under active consideration. The election date is a subject of speculation, and though Mrs. Thatcher need not call the poll until next year, her Conservative Party is running well ahead of opponents in opinion polls.