Brown denies knowledge on Blair's plan to quit office

London Apr 12 (UNI) British Chancellor Gordon Brown today said he did not know when Tony Blair plans to relinquish power as Prime Minister.

Mr Brown also hinted that he was planning to remain in power for long time when he eventually did get the keys to No 10, saying he was planning to tackle challenges facing Britain over the next 10 to 15 years.

Asked whether he knew the date in Mr Blair's mind, Mr Brown replied, ''That is not for me either to speculate about or to think I know something about dates. It's for him, when he decides, to make his announcement.'' He added ''What I know is what I've told you, that Tony Blair has said he is not contesting the next election as leader of the Labour Party.

He has said to the Parliamentary Labour Party that he wants to play his part in organising a stable and orderly transition.

The rest is up to other people.'' The British Chancellor outlined a series of major long-term policy initiatives he would be launching in the coming weeks.

He will host talks at Downing Street in 10 days on the economic, social and political consequences of global economic change before travelling to America to make a speech on future reform of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

He also plans a speech on the environment and climate change, one of a series of long-term policy pronouncements which go far beyond his Treasury brief and that have fuelled speculation that the handover of power has already begun.

Gordon Brown is the longest-serving chancellor of modern times and he dominates the domestic political agenda like few previous holders of that office.

The ultimate prize of Number 10 continues to elude him but with Tony Blair expected to stand down before the next election, it is closer than ever. There are few other contenders that could command the same level of support within the Labour Party.

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