Of other changes, much the most welcome is the appointment
of Mr. Gaitskell as Minister of State for Economic Affairs, a post he is highly qualified to fill, and in which he will be able to relieve the heavy strain on the Chancellor of the Exchequer much more effectively than Mr. Douglas Jay, who now disappears from the Front Bench, together with the office which he held. Mr. Strachey's. transference from the Ministry of Food was not un- expected, though his assumption of the Secretaryship for War is ; but he is at least as•well-qualified for that as Mr. Shinwell, who becomes deservedly Minister for Defence, was. Of Mr. Maurice
Webb's appointment to succeed Mr. Strachey, it can only be said that it is for Mr. Webb to prove that it is justified ; it well may be,
but it is considerable advancement even for a prominent back- bencher. For the rest there is little that needs remark. Mr. Stokes will make an interesting, and quite possibly a notable, Minister of Works ; to find him answering questions instead of asking them should entertain the House considerably. Mr. Ness Edwards will no doubt discharge the not very exacting duties of Postmaster- General adequately, but not necessarily better than Mr. Paling, who disappears. There remains Mr. Dalton, who should be capable of doing good work as Minister of Town and Country Planning, vice Mr. Silkin, whom the political scene will presumably know no more. It will be satisfactory to know what the late Chancellor of the Duchy is engaged on.
