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Mrs Castle wins renewal. •

1st September 1967
Page 39
Page 39, 1st September 1967 — Mrs Castle wins renewal. •
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

and a back-bench engineer

From our Political correspondent

NON-DRIVER Mrs. Barbara Castle has had her licence to run the Ministry of Transport renewed for another year at least by the Prime Minister, Mr. Harold Wilson. St. Christopher House emerged unscathed from the Cabinet changes last Monday. Indeed it was strengthened by the appointment of a new junior minister and the promotion of Mr. Stephen

Swingler to a higher grade.

Almost inevitably, the new man—Mr. Neil Carmichael, 45, MP for Glasgow Woodside since 1962—is a left-winger like Mrs. C astle . . and Mr. Swingler.

An engineer, he has been brought from the back benches to be joint Parliamentary Secretary with John Morris. Mr. Swingler has become Minister of State, increasing his prestige considerably and his salary by nearly £3,000.

Apart from confirming the left-hand drive at the Ministry, Mr. Wilson has acknowledged the fact that its political bosses face a grinding year ahead.

White Papers announcing the future of the railways, the canals, passenger transport (PTAs) and goods licensing are due by the time MPs return to Westminster in October.

The Transport Bill giving effect to all these proposals may prove to be the most controversial of this coming session.

Indications are that it could be bitterly contested. If it is, the Government will need all the staying power it can get from all four Transport Ministers.

Mr. Wilson considered strengthening of the Transport Ministerial team for some time. Apart from the heavy legislative load ahead, Transport now has to answer more Parliamentary questions and probably reply to more adjournment debates than any other Ministry.

Much of this burden has fallen on Mr. Swingler and Mr. Morris. In particular, Mr. Swingler has greatly enhanced his reputation by the way he has dealt with his work, showing a deal of courtesy and kindness.


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