Heath reshuffles Cabinet

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33067, 7 November 1972, Page 19

Heath reshuffles Cabinet

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 6. The British Prime Minister (Mr Heath) has announced a Ministerial reshuffle, strengthening control of economic affairs and

bringing two new men into the Cabinet. The reshuffle, which comes on the eve of new Government plans to cope with inflation, takes Mr Peter

Walker, aged 41, from the Department of the Environment to head the Department of Trade and Industry.

A second Cabinet seat has been created for the Trade Department with the appointment of Sir Geoffrey Howe as the Government’s first Minister for Trade and Consumer Affairs.

Sir Geoffrey Howe was formerly Solicitor-General, and played a substantial role in drafting the Government’s controversial industrial rela-

tions legislation. His appointment is seen as part of the Government’s attack on rising prices after the breakdown of talks last week with trade union and industrial leaders on voluntary ways to curb inflation. The Prime Minister Is widely expected to announce today legislation to limit wage increases to about £2.60 a week, and to put a 5 per cent ceiling on price rises for six months. The second newcomer to the Cabinet is Mr Joseph Godber, who becomes Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; he was formerly

Minister of State at the Foreign Office. He succeeds Mr James Prior, who becomes Leader of the House of Commons, responsible for the day-to-day handling of the Government’s Parliamentary programme. Mr Geoffrey Rippon, who was Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and played the leading role in negotiating Britain’s entry into the European Common Market, takes over as head of the massive

Ministry of the Environment, which includes responsibility for housing and transport. The Government’s European representation is also strengthened by the naming of the former Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr John Davies, to deal with Common Market affairs. The following is a list of members of the new Cabinet: Prime Minister, Mr Edward Heath; Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Sir Alec DouglasHome; Lord Chancellor, Lord Hailsham; Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Anthony Barber.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr William Whitelaw; Secretary of State for Defence, Lord Carrington; Secretary of State for Home Affairs, Mr Robert Carr; Lord President of the Council, Mr James Prior; Secretary of State for Health and Social Security, Sir Keith Joseph.

Secretary of State for the Environment, Mr Geoffrey Rippon; Secretary of State for Education, Mrs Margaret Thatcher; Secretary of State for Scotland, Mr Gordon Campbell; Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Mr Peter Walker; Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Mr John Davies.

Lord Privy Seal, Earl Jellicoe; Secretary of State for Wales, Mr Peter Thomas; Secretary of State for Employment, Mr Maurice Macmillan; Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr Joseph Godber; Minister of Trade and Consumer Affairs, Sir Geoffrey Howe.