In 1946, the post became the only cabinet-level post representing the military, with the three service ministers – the Secretary of State for War, the First Lord of the Admiralty, and the Secretary of State for Air, now formally subordinated to the Minister of Defence. The post was created in response to previous criticism that there had been no clear single minister in charge of the prosecution of World War II. On his appointment as Prime Minister in May 1940, Winston Churchill created for himself the new post of Minister of Defence. In April 1940 the position was formally wound up and the functions transferred to other Ministers. When the Second World War broke out, the new Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain formed a small War Cabinet and it was expected that Chatfield would serve as a spokesperson for the three service ministers, the Secretary of State for War, the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Secretary of State for Air however, political considerations resulted in all three posts being included in the Cabinet, and Chatfield's role proved increasingly redundant. In 1939 Inskip was succeeded by First Sea LordLord Chatfield.
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