Equal status within new Ministry

Press, 4 March 1988, Page 2

Equal status within new Ministry

PA i Wellington Two Cabinet Ministers, Mr Moore and Mr Marshall, would have equal footing in the proposed new Ministry of External Relations, said; the Prime Minister, Mr Lange.! Mr Lange lias already announced a big shake-up iri the trade And foreign policy departrifients, ■ making way fori two; new Ministries and a likely reshuffle in Cabinet responsibilities. i;Mr Lange said the new Ministry of External; Relatibns would be, responsible for functions j concerned with overseas, trade and foreign affairs. ! Mr Moore, ;the present Minister of! Overseas Trade and Development, is expected to play a big role in the new Ministry but there j, has I been speculation over what will happen to Mr Marshall, whose own foreign affairs portfolio will 'disappear. Mr Lange made; clear that the two men ’ would share the [responsibilities of the new'■Ministry, Mr Moore taking care of trade andj Mr Marshall foreign affairs. . Asked who woiild be the senior Minister, Mr Lange said, ‘‘There is no presumption there will be a senior Minister at all.” Further I ! questioned about the “pecking order," Mr Lange replied, "Mike will; always be first at the trough because he is No. 3 (in Cabinet rankings). 1 “But that is not a comment on the balance of Ministers. There will be a parity of Ministers?’ The second new Ministry to be created' is the Ministry of Commerce which will! replace the present Ministry of Trade ;and Industry, headed by 'Mr Caygill. j