40. The Prime Minister reported that Mr. Churchill had informed him that he wished to bring Lord Alexander into the United Kingdom Cabinet as Minister of Defence as soon as possible. Lord Alexander could hardly continue as Governor General while a Minister-designate. It had accordingly been indicated to Mr. Churchill that there should be no announcement of Lord Alexander's new post until his relinquishment of his present office and the appointment of a successor had been announced.

There was considerable support in Canada for appointment of a Canadian as the next Governor General and it was felt that the name of the Rt. Hon. Vincent Massey could suitably be submitted to the King. It might be necessary for the change to be made very shortly after Mr. Churchill's visit to Ottawa. Mr. Massey would not be able to take up his duties for some time and, in the meantime, it would be necessary to continue the allowances for the upkeep of Rideau Hall.

41. Mr. St. Laurent said that, with the concurrence of his colleagues, he would send a letter to the King through the Minister of Finance, who was going to London, informing His Majesty that the government had agreed that he should submit Mr. Massey's name for consideration for appointment as Governor General. He had suggested to Lord Alexander that he should inform the King of his desire to relinquish his present office and, as Prime Minister, he would advise the King that this desire should be acceded to. It would be necessary to have letters patent issue[d] terminating Lord Alexander's appointment. The Chief Justice would then become Administrator until Mr. Massey took office. Upon the King approving the appointment, an announcement regarding Lord Alexander's replacement by Mr. Massey could be issued immediately, making it clear that the latter would not be able to assume his duties for some time. There would be no objection to Mr. Churchill announcing thereafter Lord Alexander's new appointment.

Lord Alexander was agreeable to these various arrangements and prepared to remain in Canada until the announcements were made. There was reason to believe that Mr. Massey would accept the proposed appointment.

42. In the course of the ensuing discussion, it was noted that Canada was the only Commonwealth country with the possible exception of Ceylon that had not so far had one of its own citizens as its Governor General. The proposed change would not preclude the appointment of non-Canadians on later occasions. As Lord Alexander felt unable to remain for another term and no suitable successor appeared to be available in the United Kingdom, the present was an appropriate time to appoint a Canadian. Knowing Mr. Massey very well, the King would feel that he had a personal representative in Canada. The circumstances of Lord Alexander's departure should help to make the appointment of a Canadian understandable to those who had a preference for the office of Governor General being filled from the United Kingdom. While it was important that the announcement of Lord Alexander's new post be issued separately, it should follow very closely on the announcement of his replacement at Rideau Hall by Mr. Massey.

43. It was also noted that it would be necessary to inform Mr. Massey of the proposals before any communications were passed to the Palace and that these would not be delivered pending discussions with Mr. Churchill.

44. The Cabinet, after further discussion, approved the proposal of the Prime Minister that the name of the Rt. Hon. Vincent Massey be submitted to the King for consideration for appointment as Governor General of Canada to succeed Lord Alexander who would be relinquishing this office, and noted the steps that would be taken if the submission were approved.