 In the new administration Home remained at the Commonwealth Relations Office . Much of his time was spent on matters relating to Africa , where the futures of Bechuanaland and the Central African Federation needed to be agreed . Among other matters in which he was involved were the dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir , assisted emigration from Britain to Australia , and relations with Archbishop Makarios of Cyprus . The last unexpectedly led to an enhanced cabinet role for Home . Makarios , leader of the militant anti @-@ British and pro @-@ Greek movement , was detained in exile in the Seychelles . Macmillan , with the agreement of Home and most of the cabinet , decided that this imprisonment was doing more harm than good to Britain 's position in Cyprus , and ordered Makarios 's release . Lord Salisbury strongly dissented from the decision and resigned from the cabinet in March 1957 . Macmillan added Salisbury 's responsibilities to Home 's existing duties , making him Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Lords . The first of these posts was largely honorific , but the leadership of the Lords put Home in charge of getting the government 's business through the upper house , and brought him nearer to the centre of power . In Hurd 's phrase , " By the imperceptible process characteristic of British politics he found himself month by month , without any particular manoeuvre on his part , becoming an indispensable figure in the government . " 
