Fourth National Ministry

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The Fourth National Ministry was formed by Neville Chamberlain on his appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on May 28, 1937. As a National Government it contained members of the Conservative Party, National Liberal Party and National Labour Party, as well as a number of individuals who belonged to no political party.

On September 3, 1939 Chamberlain requested the formal resignations of all his colleagues and reconstructed his ministry in order to better face the Second World War. For the new ministry see Chamberlain War Ministry.

Contents

[edit] Neville Chamberlain's First Cabinet, May 1937 - September 1939

For a full list of ministerial office-holders, see National Government 1935-1940.

[edit] Changes

  • February 1938 - Lord Halifax succeeds Eden as Foreign Secretary. Halifax is succeeded as Lord President by Lord Hailsham, who is succeeded as Lord Chancellor by Lord Maugham. Halifax is succeeded as Leader of the House of Lords by Lord Stanhope, who remains President of the Board of Education as well.
  • May 1938 - Orsmby-Gore inherits the title Baron Harlech. He subsequently steps down from the government and is succeed by Malcolm MacDonald as Colonial Secretary. Lord Stanley succeeds MacDonald as Dominions Secretary. Kingsley Wood succeeds Lord Swinton as Secretary of State for Air. Walter Elliot succeeds Wood as Minister of Health. John Colville succeeds Elliot as Scottish Secretary.
  • October 1938 - Lord Stanhope succeeds Duff Cooper (resigned) as First Lord of the Admiralty, remaining also Leader of the House of Lords. Lord De La Warr succeeds Stanhope at the Board of Education. Sir John Anderson succeeds De La Warr as Lord Privy Seal, with special responsibility for Air Raid Precautions. Malcolm MacDonald succeeds Stanley (deceased) as Dominions Secretary, remaining also Colonial Secretary. Lord Runciman succeeds Lord Hailsham as Lord President.

[edit] Key office holders not in the Cabinet

[edit] Changes
  • March 1938 - Lord Winterton enters the Cabinet, remaining Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (see above).
  • January 1939 - Lord Winterton leaves the Cabinet and the post of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, becoming Paymaster-General in succession to the Earl of Munster.
  • June 1939 - Herwald Ramsbotham succeeds Sir Philip Sassoon (deceased) as First Commissioner of Works and is succeeded as Minister of Pensions by Sir Walter Womersley.
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