Mr. Baldwin and Distressed Areas Perhaps the most interesting appointment
of the week is that of Sir Horace Wilson, formerly head of the Ministry of Labour and latterly Chief Industrial Adviser to the Government, who has been " seconded to the Treasury for service with the Prime Minister." For it means that Mr. Baldwin has decided to make the problem of the distressed areas his direct personal 'concern, and has taken Sir Horace as right-hand man for the purpose. Under existing conditions this offers the most hopeful prospect that ' something effective will be done. For though Cabinet policy in England is in form determined by a committee, it is only as a rule by the individual initiative of a strong Minister that diffiiult things get done. Mr. Baldwin has admitted in ,public that he regards failure to meet the needs of the distressed areas as the weak feature of the Govern- Ment's record se far. He stakes his credit on doing better there.
* * *
Previous page
