Evening star., 1950-03-01
Conservatives Heck|e
Laborites at Opening
OF New Parliament
BY the Associated Press

LO,TDON, Mar. 1. Britain's
newly elected Parliament opened
today, and Conservatives, in a
cocky mood, shouted to their
Labor Party opponents to "cheer
up"
The Labor Party has a shaky
majority of only seven votes in the
new House of Commons. Prime
Minister Attlee, however, told re-
porters before Parliament opened
with traditional pomp, that his
Labor Party is determined to carry
on.
Mr.. Attlee walked side by side
with Conservative Leader Winston
Churchill, who gave him such a
fierce battle in the election, to the
House of Lords to hear the Kings
commission to the new Parlia-
ment. They then went to the
House of Commons, where they
were cheered by their supporters.
Mr.. Attlee's labor members of
Parliament had caucused short
time before. At the organization
meeting, Mr.. Attlee probably out
lined to the Labor M. P.'s the
reasons behind his reshuf1ing of
his cabinet and told them what
the government intends to do in
view of its wobbly overall major
ity in the 625- member house.
Labor Cabinet Reshuff1ed.
The Prime Minister reshuff1ed
the Labor cabinet along stronger
political lines to meet threat
ened challenge from the Conserv-
atives, greatly strengthened by
the election and ready for a fight
on further specialization programs.
Mr.. Attlee has kept three top
cabinet aides: Deputy Prime
Minister Herbert Morrison, For
eign Secretary Bevin and Chan
cellor of the Exchequer Sir Staf-
ford Cripps. but he made some Is
changes. chiefly in the lower
stratum, aimed at strengthening
the party against the possibility
of the governments fall and new
elections.
"Our members are in very good
heart" Mr.. Attlee told reporters
after the caucus. "Tne govern
ment will be meeting in the house
and going forward in the firm de-
termination to carry the country
through in this difficult period.
Let us go through together" l..
An announcement after the two
hour caucus said Mr.. Attlee was
reelected leader of the party.
The first order of business be-
fore Parliament was the re-elec-
tion of Col. Douglas Clifton Brown,
a non-party member, as the speak
er. Nominally a Conservative, he
would vote only in case of tie.
Dalton Gets New Post.
The Labor Party's first test of
strength with MIR. Churchills
Conservatives will come after King
George outlines government poll
cies in speech from the throne
next Monday.
To meet the Conservative chal-
lenge, Mr.. Attlee increased his
cabinet from 1T to 18. members
elevating several Laborites expect
ed to swing considerable weight
in any new election campaign.
The new cabinet post went to
Hugh Dalton as Minister of Town
and Country Planning. which was
raised to fifth in order of i'm
portance. Mr.. Dalton, formerly
holding the trouble shooting job
as Chancellor of the Duchy Of
Lancaster. succeeded Lewis Silkin,
who was not a candidate for re-
election to the Commons.
Emanuel Shinwell, former Secre-
tary Of State for War, was pro-
NOTED to Defense Secretary, re-
placing Viscount Alexander of
Hillsborough. Lord Alexander got
Mr.. Daltori's old job in the Duchy
of Lancaster post.
List of Cabinet Members.
Here Is Britain's new cabinet
* denotes reappointment):
Prime Minister-Clement Att
lee (x.
Lord President of the Council
Herbert Morrison (x).
Foreign Affairs Ernest Bevin
ID.
sChancellor of the Exchequer-
Sir Stafford Cripps (x).
Defense-Emanuel Shinwell.
Labor and National Service
George Isaacs (x).
sAgriculture-Tom Williams (x) J..
Education-George Tomlinson
(x).
President of the Board of Trade
Harold Wilson (x).
Eolonies-James Griffiths.
Secretary of State for Scotland
Hector Mcneil.
Commonwealth Relations-P.
Gordon Walker.
Home Secretary-Chuter EIDE
%.
Lord Chancellor-Viscount Jo-
witt (x).
Town and Country Planning
Hugh Dalton.
Lord Privy Seal-Viscount Addi-
son (x).
Chancellor of the Duchy OF
Lancaster-Viscount Alexander OF
Hillsborough.
Health-Aneurin Bevan (x).
Ministers not in the cabinet:
Secretary of State for War
John Strachey.
Minister of Fuel and Power
Philip Noel-Baker.
Minister of National Insurance
DIR. Edith Summerskill.
Minister of Food - Maurice
Webb.
Civil Aviation-Lord Pakenham
(x).
Pensions-Hilary Marquand.
Postmaster General-Ness Ed