CAB129-45 — Page 539

Printed for the Cabinet. May 1951

CONFIDENTIAL

C.P. (51) 143

24th May, 1951

CABINET

Copy No.

29

E

12

MINISTERIAL DUTIES

NOTE BY THE PRIME MINISTER

In C.P. (51) 88 I set out the duties assigned to the Lord President (Lord Addison) and the Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Bevin).

2. Mr. Stokes, as Lord Privy Seal, will be responsible for the new Materials Department. In addition, he will retain his responsibilities in connection with the Festival of Britain. I have therefore decided to reallocate as follows the duties assigned to his predecessor:

(i) Information Services.-The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Rela- tions will take over Ministerial responsibility for Home and Overseas Information Services, including responsibility for general questions of policy affecting the Central Office of Information. He will be Chairman of Cabinet Committees on Home and Overseas Information Services. (ii) Broadcasting and the Press. The Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations will also assume responsibility for major questions of broad- casting policy and for general questions affecting the press. (iii) Socialisation of Industries.-The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will be Chairman of the Socialisation of Industries Committee; and in this capacity will be responsible to the Cabinet for the co-ordination of policy affecting the socialised industries and for promoting, in concert with the Departmental Ministers concerned, the efficient operation of those industries.

(iv) Welsh Affairs.-The Home Secretary will assume a general responsibility

for the work of the Council of Wales and Monmouthshire.

(v) Emergencies.-The Home Secretary will resume the Chairmanship of the

Emergencies Committee.

10 Downing Street, S.W. 1,

24th May, 1951

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C. R. A.

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