THE KING'S MINISTERS 59

true of the Prime Minister as well. The appointment of a Peer—
Lord Halifax—as Foreign Secretary in 1938 provoked criticism
in the Commons. Since the Commons represent the people,
they desire close contact with the Ministers whose work affects
the pockets and liberties of the people. The Lord Chancellor
is always, and the Lord President frequently in the Lords. There
is a rule that not more than six of the Secretaries of State shall
be in the same House. It is to Parliament, and particularly the
Commons, that Ministers are responsible, and they are liable to
be questioned on policy, though they need not answer. On the
other hand, the Cabinet frames the time-table of Parliament,
and consequently has considerable power over it.

How far is the Cabinet, in its present form, suited to its task?
A body of twenty members is somewhat large for making general
decisions, and proposals for reform often include the suggestion
that the Cabinet should in future consist of only eight or ten
Ministers. These might represent Finance, Home Affairs, Law,
Defence, Economic Policy, Social Services, Imperial Affairs and
Foreign Affairs. The present number has certainly not been
chosen because it was suitable; it has grown from about a dozen
as the work of Government expanded. Probably Government
activity will grow more in the ftiture and the expansion of the
Cabinet will make some re-organisation necessary. A smaller
body could act with greater efficiency as was demonstrated
during the War, when a special War Cabinet took charge. None
of the proposed eight or ten members would be overloaded with
the details of his Department, for each would have Ministers
subordinate to him. The distinction between administering a
Department and framing general policy would become sharper,
and the latter task would be carried out by men who would have
time to make it their special work. Some of the offices have been
shown to be unnecessary, and a change in the nature of the
Cabinet would give an opportunity for abolishing them. At the
same time the work of the Ministers excluded from the reformed
Cabinet would come under review and, in some instances, could