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Hore-belisha Named British War Minister, First Jew in Post

May 30, 1937
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Leslie Hore-Belisha, Minister of Transport in the Baldwin Cabinet, was raised to the Minister of War in the new cabinet submitted to King George VI for approval tonight by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain.

Hore-Belisha, who is thirty-nine years old, is a National Liberal. He is the fifth Jew in modern times to have reached cabinet rank in the British Government and the first to have held the post of War Minister.

Sir Philip Sassoon, Under-Secretary of Air in the Baldwin government, who won approval for his handling of the Air Ministry budget program in the House of Commons, was rewarded with a ministry in the new Chamberlain cabinet. He was given the post of First Commissioner of Works which has ministerial status but not cabinet membership.

Sir Philip, who is forty-nine years old, is widely known as an authority on art. One of his principal tasks as Commissioner of Works will be to protect and restore ancient English landmarks.

William G.A. Ormsby-Gore, Secretary of State for Colonies, retains his portfolio in the new government. Malcolm MacDonald, former Colonial Secretary, also retains his portfolio as Dominions Secretary. Lord Dufferin and Ava was named Under-Secretary of State for Colonies.

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