MINISTER OF STATE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 July 1941, Page 6

MINISTER OF STATE

FUNCTIONS IN MIDDLE EAST DEFINED BY MR CHURCHILL. FACILITATING THE CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) RUGBY, July 9. Asked for information about the appointment of Mr Oliver Lyttelton to the Middle East, Mr Churchill said: "The principal task of the Minister of State in the Middle East will be firstly to facilitate the conduct of operations by the commanders-in-chief, by relieving them, as far as possible, of a number of extraneous responsibilities with which they have hitherto been burdened and, secondly, to settle promptly matters within the policy of the British Government, but which involve several other departments of local authorities. The appointment of the Minister docs not interfere with the existing relationships between the commanders-in-chief and Service Ministers, or between the British Ambassador at Cairo and ether representatives of the British Government in the Middle East and Ministers in Britain, to whom they are responsible." The Minister of State. Mr Churchill said, would make representations where necessary on important issues of policy, but it was hoped that the presence of a War Cabinet Minister, with wide discretionary powers, would smooth and hasten concerted action in the Middle East between the various authorities in that area. Replying to further question, Mr Churchill said the Minister of State had authority in matters not concerned with the conduct of operations, but that authority was derived from his position as a member of the War Cabinet and would no doubt be exercised in harmony with' fundamental principle. Asked what would be the relations of the Minister of State with the Dominions representatives on the spot, Mr Churchill replied that the relations will be of close contact and of continual courtesy and goodwill. CONTROL IN IRAQ MR CHURCHILL ON NEW ARRANGEMENT. (British Official Wireless.) ! (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) RUGBY. July 9. Answering a question in the House of Commons. Mr Churchill stated that responsibility for Iraq had been transferred to the Indian command and would be exercised by Gerenal Sii I Archibald Wavell. The Minister of I State in the Middle East (Mr Lyttel!ton) would not exercise any control in I Iraq, but would be in the closest touch with the Government of India.