BRITISH CABINET

Grey River Argus, 24 February 1942, Page 5

BRITISH CABINET

FURTHER CHANGES Permanent Secretary as War Minister

[Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Rec. 7.20). LONDON, February 23. New Cabinet appointments announced are as follows: — Secretary for the Colonies: Lord Cranborne. ' . Secretary for War: Sir W. Grigg. President of the Board of Trade: Dr. Hugh Dalton. Minister of Aircraft Production: Mr J. J. Llewellyn. Minister of Economic Warfiane: Lord Wolmer. Minister of Works and Building! and First Commissioner *for Works: Lord Portal, who was hitherto Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply. Colonel Moore-Brabazon, Lord Moyne, Colonel Mlargesson, Sir John Reith, and Rt. Hon. Arthur Greenwood have been dropped from the Cabinet. The appointment of Sir W. Grigg, formerly permanent Secretary in the War Department, is the first time a permanent secretary has been promoted straight from his Department to the Ministry. He employs forthright methods, and has the reputation for getting things done. It is understood that it is not yet decided whether he will find a seat in the Commons or go into the House of Lords.

The “Daily Express” political correspondent says that a close friend of Sir W. Grigg described him as the toughest man in Whitehall, who is so ruthless in insistence on efficiency that he cares for nobody—brasshat, Minister, or civil servant — he does what he thinks right whatever anybody says or does. He is a stern but just man, full of ideas and determination.

The name of the Ministry of Works and Planning is again changed to Works and Buildings. Lord Cranborne is taking over the leadership of the House of Lords from Lord Moyne. Lord Wolmer was formerly Assistant PostmasterGeneral, but resigned because of differences with the civil service. The successor to Lord Lyttelton as Resident Minister in the Middle East is being announced shortly. (Rec. 7.40). LONDON, February 23. The “Daily Mail” in a leading article says: “One of the most disappointing features of the Cabinet appointments is that they do not include the name of anyone unknown to 'past or present administrations except Sir W. Grigg. It is another reshuffle. There is no businessman included. Particularly for the Minister of Aircraft Production it would have been better to appoint a first class industrialist knowing modern production methods. Dr. Hugh Dalton has gone from post to post without betraying exceptional brilliance, but at least in the Board of Trade his talent for the more subline type of optimistic oratory will be curbed. It is clear we must look more to the new War Cabinet than to the Ministers outside for the new spirit which must infuse our war effort.”

The “Mail’s” political correspondent understands that Mr Churchill asked Mr Duff Cooper to become resident Minister at Cairo. Lord Halifax’s position is not clarified. His name is not contained in the new list of members of the War Cabinet. He therefore can be assumed to be no longer a, member of the Government.