Heath ministry

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Heath ministry
Flag of the United Kingdom (1-2).svg
Cabinet of the United Kingdom
1970–1974
Edward Heath (cropped).jpg
Heath in 1969
Date formed19 June 1970 (1970-06-19)
Date dissolved4 March 1974 (1974-03-04)
People and organisations
Monarch Elizabeth II
Prime Minister Edward Heath
Deputy Prime Minister [note 1]
Total no. of members211 appointments
Member party  Conservative Party
Status in legislature
  • 330 / 630 (52%)
    (1970–1974)
  • 297 / 635 (47%)
    (April 1974)
Opposition cabinet Wilson Shadow Cabinet
Opposition party  Labour Party
Opposition leader Harold Wilson
History
Election(s) 1970 general election
Outgoing election 1974 general election
Legislature term(s) 45th UK Parliament
Predecessor Second Wilson ministry
Successor Third Wilson ministry

Edward Heath of the Conservative Party formed the Heath ministry and was appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom by Queen Elizabeth II on 19 June 1970, following the 18 June general election. Heath's ministry ended after the February 1974 general election, which produced a hung parliament, leading to the formation of a minority government by Harold Wilson of the Labour Party.

Contents

Heath had been elected leader of the Conservative Party in 1965 to succeed Alec Douglas-Home, within a few months of the party's election defeat after 13 years in government. His first general election as leader the following year ended in defeat as Wilson's Labour government increased its majority. The Conservatives enjoyed a surge in support over the next two years as the British economy went through a period of fluctuation with growth and contraction. Unemployment rose significantly, but when Harold Wilson called a general election for June 1970, the opinion polls all pointed towards a third successive Labour victory.

It was a major surprise when the Conservatives won with a majority of 30 seats. [1]

Heath's government initially enjoyed a strong economy and relatively low unemployment, and on 1 January 1973 the United Kingdom became a member state of the European Communities, principally the European Economic Community. But then came the 1973 oil crisis, and just before Christmas, Heath declared a three day week in which the use of offices, factories and most public buildings was reduced to three days a week. He also faced a battle with the unions over pay freezes and restraints, which sparked a rise in strikes. The economy also entered a recession.

Heath's response in February 1974 was to call a general election, urging the voters to decide whether it was the government or the unions which ran Britain. The election on 28 February 1974 resulted in a hung parliament, in which the Conservatives had the most votes but Labour had the most seats. After talks with the Liberals about forming a coalition government failed, Labour formed a minority government on 4 March. [2] A second general election was widely anticipated later in 1974, and was called by Harold Wilson for 10 October, in which the Labour Party gained a three-seat majority. This meant that Wilson had now won four of the five general elections he had contested, while Heath had now lost three of his four general elections, and it seemed inevitable that his leadership would soon end. [3]

Cabinet

June 1970 – March 1974

The cabinet appointed in June 1970 comprised the following: [4]

Changes

List of ministers

Cabinet members are in bold face.

OfficeNameDatesNotes
Prime Minister,
First Lord of the Treasury
and Minister for the Civil Service 		Edward Heath 19 June 1970 – 4 March 1974 
Parliamentary Secretary for the Civil Service Department David Howell 23 June 1970 – 26 March 1972 
Kenneth Baker 7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 
Geoffrey Johnson-Smith 5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 
Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain The Lord Hailsham of St Marylebone 20 June 1970 
Lord President of the Council
and Leader of the House of Commons 		William Whitelaw 20 June 1970 
Robert Carr 7 April 1972 
Jim Prior 5 November 1972 
Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal
and Leader of the House of Lords 		The Earl Jellicoe 20 June 1970
The Lord Windlesham 5 June 1973 
Chancellor of the Exchequer Iain Macleod 20 June 1970Died in office, 20 July 1970
Anthony Barber 25 July 1970 
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Maurice Macmillan 23 June 1970 
Patrick Jenkin 7 April 1972 
Tom Boardman 8 January 1974 
Minister of State for Treasury Terence Higgins 23 June 1970 
John Nott 7 April 1972 
Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury Francis Pym 20 June 1970 
Humphrey Atkins 2 December 1973 
Financial Secretary to the Treasury Patrick Jenkin 23 June 1970 
Terence Higgins 7 April 1972 
Lords of the Treasury Reginald Eyre 24 June 1970 – 23 September 1970 
David Howell 24 June 1970 – 6 January 1971 
Hector Monro 24 June 1970 – 28 July 1971 
Bernard Weatherill 24 June 1970 – 17 October 1971 
Walter Clegg 24 June 1970 – 7 April 1972 
Victor Goodhew 21 October 1970 – 9 October 1973 
Paul Hawkins 5 January 1971 – 2 December 1973 
Tim Fortescue 8 November 1971 – 7 April 1972 
Keith Speed 8 November 1971 – 21 September 1973 
Hugh Rossi 7 April 1972 – 8 January 1974 
Oscar Murton 7 April 1972 – 30 October 1973 
Michael Jopling 30 October 1973 – 4 March 1974 
Hamish Gray 30 October 1973 – 4 March 1974 
John Stradling Thomas 30 October 1973 – 4 March 1974 
Marcus Fox 2 December 1973 – 4 March 1974 
Kenneth Clarke 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 
Foreign Secretary Sir Alec Douglas-Home 20 June 1970 
Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Joseph Godber 23 June 1970 – 5 November 1972 
Richard Wood 15 October 1970 – 4 March 1974 
The Lady Tweedsmuir 7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 
Julian Amery 5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 
Lord Balniel 5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 
Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs The Marquess of Lothian 24 June 1970 – 7 April 1972 
Anthony Royle 24 June 1970 – 8 January 1974 
Anthony Kershaw 15 October 1970 – 5 June 1973 
Peter Blaker 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 
Minister for Overseas Development Richard Wood 15 October 1970 
Home Secretary Reginald Maudling 20 June 1970 
Robert Carr 18 July 1972 
Minister of State for Home Affairs Richard Sharples 23 June 1970 – 7 April 1972 
The Lord Windlesham 23 June 1970 – 26 March 1972 
Mark Carlisle 7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 
The Viscount Colville of Culross 21 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 
Under-Secretary of State for Home Affairs Mark Carlisle 24 June 1970 
David Lane 7 April 1972 
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Jim Prior 20 June 1970 
Joseph Godber 5 November 1972 
Minister of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Anthony Stodart 7 April 1972New post
Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Anthony Stodart 24 June 1970 – 7 April 1972 
Peter Mills 7 April 1972 – 5 November 1972 
Peggy Fenner 5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 
The Earl Ferrers 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 
Minister for Aviation Supply Frederick Corfield 15 October 1970New post. Abolished 1 May 1971 and functions transferred to Ministry of Defence
Parliamentary Secretary for Aviation Supply David Price 15 October 1970New post. Abolished 1 May 1971 and functions transferred to Ministry of Defence
Secretary of State for Defence The Lord Carrington 20 June 1970 
Ian Gilmour 8 January 1974 
Minister of State for Defence Lord Balniel 23 June 1970 
Ian Gilmour 5 November 1972 
George Younger 8 January 1974 
Minister of State for Defence Procurement Ian Gilmour 7 April 1971Office abolished 5 November 1972
Under-Secretary of State for the Navy Peter Kirk 24 June 1970 
Antony Buck 5 November 1972 
Under-Secretary of State for the Air Force Antony Lambton 24 June 1970 
Anthony Kershaw 5 June 1973 
The Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal 8 January 1974 
Under-Secretary of State for the Army Ian Gilmour 24 June 1970 
Geoffrey Johnson-Smith 7 April 1971 
Peter Blaker 5 November 1972 
Dudley Smith 8 January 1974 
Secretary of State for Education and Science Margaret Thatcher 20 June 1970 
Minister of State, Education and Science Norman St John-Stevas 5 June 1973Minister for the Arts
Under-Secretary of State, Education and Science The Lord Belstead 24 June 1970 – 5 June 1973 
William van Straubenzee 24 June 1970 – 5 November 1972 
Norman St John-Stevas 5 November 1972 – 2 December 1973 
Timothy Raison 5 June 1973 – 4 March 1974 
The Lord Sandford 2 December 1973 – 4 March 1974 
Secretary of State for Employment Robert Carr 20 June 1970Employment and Productivity until 12 November 1970
Maurice Macmillan 7 April 1972 
William Whitelaw 2 December 1973 
Minister of State, Employment Paul Bryan 23 June 1970 
Robin Chichester-Clark 7 April 1972 
Under-Secretary of State, Employment Dudley Smith 24 June 1970 – 7 January 1974 
David Howell 5 January 1971 – 26 March 1972 
Nicholas Scott 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 
Secretary of State for Energy The Lord Carrington 8 January 1974 
Minister for Energy Patrick Jenkin 8 January 1974In Cabinet
Minister of State, Energy David Howell 8 January 1974 
Under-Secretary of State, Energy Peter Emery 8 January 1974 
Secretary of State for the Environment Peter Walker 15 October 1970 
Geoffrey Rippon 5 November 1972 
Minister for Local Government and Development Graham Page 15 October 1970 
Minister for Housing and Construction Julian Amery 15 October 1970 
Paul Channon 5 November 1972 
Minister for Transport Industries John Peyton 15 October 1970 
Under-Secretary of State, Environment Eldon Griffiths 15 October 1970 – 4 March 1974 
Paul Channon 15 October 1970 – 26 March 1972 
The Lord Sandford 15 October 1970 – 5 June 1973 
Michael Heseltine 15 October 1970 – 7 April 1972 
Keith Speed 7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 
Reginald Eyre 7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 
Lady Young 5 June 1973 – 4 March 1974 
Hugh Rossi 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 
Secretary of State for Social Services Sir Keith Joseph 20 June 1970 
Minister of State, Health and Social Security The Lord Aberdare 23 June 1970 – 8 January 1974 
Parliamentary Secretary, Health and Social Security Paul Dean 24 June 1970 – 4 March 1974 
Michael Alison 24 June 1970 – 4 March 1974 
Secretary of State for Housing and Local Government Peter Walker 24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Part of Environment from 15 October 1970
Minister of State, Housing and Local Government Graham Page 23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Part of Environment from 15 October 1970
Parliamentary Secretary, Housing and Local Government Eldon Griffiths 23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Part of Environment from Oct 1970
Paul Channon 23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970
The Lord Sandford 23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Anthony Barber 20 June 1970With special responsibility for Europe
Geoffrey Rippon 28 July 1970 
John Davies 5 November 1972 
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland William Whitelaw 24 March 1972 
Francis Pym 2 December 1973 
Minister of State, Northern Ireland Paul Channon 26 March 1972 – 5 November 1972 
The Lord Windlesham 26 March 1972 – 5 June 1973 
William van Straubenzee 5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 
David Howell 5 November 1972 – 8 January 1974 
Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland David Howell 26 March 1972 – 5 November 1972 
Peter Mills 5 November 1972 – 4 March 1974 
The Lord Belstead 5 June 1973 – 4 March 1974 
Minister of Overseas Development Richard Wood 23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Reorganised under Foreign Office, 12 November 1970
Paymaster General The Viscount Eccles 23 June 1970Minister for Arts. Not in Cabinet
Maurice Macmillan 2 December 1973 
Minister without Portfolio The Lord Drumalbyn 15 October 1970 
The Lord Aberdare 8 January 1974 
Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Christopher Chataway 24 June 1970 
Sir John Eden 7 April 1972 
Minister of Public Buildings and Works Julian Amery 23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Reorganised under Department of Environment 15 October 1970
Parliamentary Secretary, Public Buildings and Works Anthony Kershaw 24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970
Secretary of State for Scotland Gordon Campbell 20 June 1970 
Minister of State for Scotland The Lady Tweedsmuir 23 June 1970 
The Lord Polwarth 7 April 1972 
Under-Secretary of State for Scotland Alick Buchanan-Smith 24 June 1970 – 4 March 1974 
George Younger 24 June 1970 – 8 January 1974 
Teddy Taylor 24 June 1970 – 28 July 1971 
Hector Monro 28 July 1971 – 4 March 1974 
Teddy Taylor 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 
Minister of Technology Geoffrey Rippon 20 June 1970 
John Davies 28 July 1970 – 15 October 1970Office reorganised under Trade & Industry 15 October 1970
Minister of State, Ministry of Technology Sir John Eden 23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Office reorganised under Trade & Industry 15 October 1970
The Earl of Bessborough 24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970
Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Technology David Price 24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Office reorganised under Trade & Industry 15 October 1970
Nicholas Ridley 24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970
President of the Board of Trade Michael Noble 20 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Office reorganised under Trade & Industry 15 October 1970
Minister of State, Board of Trade Frederick Corfield 24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Office reorganised under Trade & Industry 15 October 1970
Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade Anthony Grant 24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Office reorganised under Trade & Industry 15 October 1970
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry John Davies 15 October 1970 
Peter Walker 5 November 1972 
Minister of State for Trade Michael Noble 15 October 1970 – 5 November 1972 
Minister of State, Trade and Consumer Affairs Sir Geoffrey Howe 5 November 1972In Cabinet
Under-Secretary of State for Trade Anthony Grant 15 October 1970 
The Earl of Limerick 7 April 1972 
Minister of State for Industry Sir John Eden 15 October 1970 
Tom Boardman 7 April 1972Office eliminated 8 January 1974
Under-Secretary of State for Industry Nicholas Ridley 15 October 1970 
Peter Emery 7 April 1972Office eliminated 8 January 1974
Minister for Aerospace Frederick Corfield 1 May 1971 
Michael Heseltine 7 April 1972Consolidated with Shipping 5 November 1972
Under-Secretary of State for Aerospace David Price 1 May 1971 
Cranley Onslow 7 April 1972Consolidated with Shipping 5 November 1972
Minister for Industrial Development Christopher Chataway 7 April 1972 
Under-Secretary of State for Industrial Development Anthony Grant 7 April 1972 
Minister of Transport John Peyton 23 June 1970 – 15 October 1970Transport merged with Environment Oct 1970
Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport Michael Heseltine 24 June 1970 – 15 October 1970
Secretary of State for Wales Peter Thomas 20 June 1970 
Minister of State for Wales David Gibson-Watt 23 June 1970 
Attorney General Sir Peter Rawlinson 23 June 1970 
Solicitor General Sir Geoffrey Howe 23 June 1970 
Sir Michael Havers 5 November 1972 
Lord Advocate Norman Wylie 23 June 1970 
Solicitor General for Scotland David William Robert Brand 23 June 1970 
William Stewart 5 November 1972Not an MP
Treasurer of the Household Humphrey Atkins 24 June 1970 
Bernard Weatherill 2 December 1973 
Comptroller of the Household Walter Elliott 24 June 1970 
Reginald Eyre 24 September 1970 
Bernard Weatherill 7 April 1972 
Walter Clegg 2 December 1973 
Vice-Chamberlain of the Household Jasper More 24 June 1970 
Bernard Weatherill 17 October 1971 
Walter Clegg 7 April 1972 
Paul Hawkins 2 December 1973 
Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms The Earl St Aldwyn 24 June 1970 
Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard The Viscount Goschen 24 June 1970 
The Lord Denham 20 November 1971 
Lords in Waiting The Lord Mowbray 24 June 1970 – 4 March 1974 
The Lord Denham 24 June 1970 – 20 November 1971 
The Lord Bethell 24 June 1970 – 5 January 1971 
The Earl Ferrers 5 January 1971 – 8 January 1974 
The Marquess of Lothian 7 April 1972 – 27 July 1973 
The Earl of Gowrie 7 April 1972 – 4 March 1974 
The Baroness Young 21 April 1972 – 5 June 1973 
The Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal 27 June 1973 – 8 January 1974 
The Lord Sandys 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 
The Earl Cowley 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 
The Earl Alexander of Tunis 8 January 1974 – 4 March 1974 

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References

Notes
Sources
  1. ↑ "BBC ON THIS DAY | 19 | 1970: Shock election win for Heath". BBC News. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  2. ↑ "UK | UK Politics | The Basics | past_elections | 1974 Feb: Hung parliament looms". BBC News. 5 April 2005. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  3. ↑ "UK | UK Politics | The Basics | past_elections | 1974 Oct: Wilson makes it four". BBC News. 5 April 2005. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  4. ↑ "Edward Heath 1970". The Cabinet Papers. The National Archives . Retrieved 8 February 2023.
Preceded by Government of the United Kingdom
1970–1974		Succeeded by
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