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;Widow moves to Ainister's hot-seat

11th May 1979, Page 7
11th May 1979
Page 7
Page 7, 11th May 1979 — ;Widow moves to Ainister's hot-seat
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RMER OPPOSITION transport spokesman Norman Fowler he new Minister of Transport — but the post has been Pin-graded by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Mr vier will not have a Cabinet seat.

'he new Minister will be ending Cabinet meetings will not have the Cabinet Lk that former minister ;Ham Rodgers was given in last Government.

'ransport is one of two deIments that has been vn-graded in the new adiistration. The other is :,.es and Consumer Affairs and the two ministers' ,450 a year salary reflects flr Fowler is one of a nber of former Conserive front bench spokesmen o moved straight into the ;ts that they have shadowed )pposition.

le is 41, one of several mer journalists in the new use of Commons and has al MP for Sutton Coldfield some years. He was Limed with a massive 26,000 jority in last week's elec1.

dr Fowler's first problems I be in the introduction of ! tachograph and it is likely Lt he will be consulted by ! new Chancellor, Sir Geofy Howe, over plans for the Ling of shares in the NatioFreight Corporation which announced before the elecn. The appointment of Mr Fowler's deputy has come as a surprise. He is former industry spokesman Kenneth Clarke, MP for Rushfield, Northants, since 1970.

Mr Clarke is a barrister and has had no connection with transport in any capacity until now. He has served as Parliamentary private secretary to the Solicitor General and was an assistant whip.

In 1974 he became an Opposition spokesman on social services and moved to become an industry spokesman in 1976. This is his first appointment at this rank.

The new Transport Under Secretary is 39 year old and Cambridge-educated. He is also one of the youngest members of the new Government — which must point to a bright future for him.