NOTABLE CHANGES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 102, 2 May 1941, Page 8

NOTABLE CHANGES

BEAVERBROOK'S POST

MR. CROSS DROPPED

LONDON, May 1. Important changes in the British Cabinet have been officially announced tonight. a Lord Beaverbrook, the Canadianborn Minister of Aircraft Production, is appointed Minister of State, a noii-departmental post, in the War Cabinet. The new Minister of Aircraft Production isVLieutenant-Colonel J. T. C. Moore-Brabazon, the present Minister of transport. The Ministry of Transport is to he merged with that of shipping, and both will be administered by Mr. F. J. Leathers. Mr. R. H. Cross, present Minister of Shipping, has been appointed High Commissioner in the Commonwealth of Australia. > Lord Beaverbrook, as Minister of Aircraft Production, was largely re-

sponsible for the phenomenal speedingup of warplane production in this country.

Political observers say that his ap-, pointment to a non-departmental post/ will answer in advance criticism which some members of Parliament intended making in the war debate next week.

These members have been advocating that Ministers in the War Cabinet

should be able to devote the whole of their attention to war problems without being hampered by departmental matters.

The amalgamation of the Ministries of Transport and Shipping is expected to result in the speedier turn-round of shipping in our docks.

Mr. Leathers has been responsible for the control of coal shipments all over the world. He began his career as a 5s a week office boy in the office in which he is now managing director. He is at present adviser on coal to the Ministry of Shipping.

The sending of Mr. Cross to Australia is in keeping with Mr. Churchill's

policy of placing young Ministers in the Dominions, as instanced by the appointment of Mr. Malcolm Mac Donald as High Commissioner to Canada.

Lord Beaverbrook, the well-known newspaper proprietor, became Minister of Aircraft Production in the Churchill Government last year and has held that post up to date.

Mr. Ronald Cross, who leaves the Ministry of Shipping, was appointed Minister of Economic Warfare when

the war began and became Minister of Shipping last year.

Lieutenant-Colonel the Hi. Hon. J. T. C. Moore-Brabazon has been Minister of Transport since 1940 and previously served for two terms as Parliamf;ntary Secretary to that Ministry.

Mr. Leathers is connected with the firm of William Cory and Son, Ltd., ship owners and coal owners, and is also a director of associated companies some of which, have their head offices on the Continent.