HC Deb 19 June 2003 vol 407 cc392-4W
Mr. Cash

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the functions of the Department for Constitutional Affairs; and what the statutory authority is for the(a) exercise of the Lord Chancellor's functions by the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and (b) transfer of those functions to the Secretary of State. [120180]

The Prime Minister

Statutory functions are being transferred in the normal way by order under the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975. The right hon. Lord Falconer of Thoroton QC has been appointed as Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, and for the transitional period as Lord Chancellor. The transfer of functions from the Lord Chancellor to the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs will be completed once the position of Lord Chancellor is abolished.

The majority of the statutory functions of the Department for Constitutional Affairs will be the same as for the former Lord Chancellor's Department. The right hon. Lord Falconer of Thoroton QC will be responsible for the appointing, or advising on the appointment of, judges, during the transitional phase as Lord Chancellor. His other functions include: the administration of the court system (via the Court Service agency established in 1995) and a number of tribunals; the provision of legal aid and legal services; and the promotion of reform and revision of English civil law.

In addition the Department's responsibilities include the following:

  • Law Commission
  • Commonhold
  • Immigration and Asylum appeals
  • House of Lords reform
  • Human Rights
  • Freedom of Information
  • Data Protection and data sharing policy
  • Policy on Electoral Law
  • Policy on Referendums
  • Policy on Party Funding
  • Tribunals policy
  • Channel Islands and the Isle of Man
  • Public Guardianship Office
  • Official Solicitor's Office
  • Statutory Publications Office

In addition, the Department will be responsible for the overall devolution settlement and the Scotland and Wales Offices have become a part of the Department for Constitutional Affairs, while retaining their distinct identities and with civil servants in those Offices reporting to their respective junior Ministers and Secretaries of State.

The Secretary of State is also responsible for:

  • The Northern Ireland Court Service
  • The Land Registry
  • National Archives

The policy responsibilities of the Department for services for children and their families, including responsibility for CAFCASS, are transferring to the new Minister for Children in the Department for Education and Skills.

Mr. Heald

To ask the Prime Minister whether the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs will receive the pension entitlement of the Lord Chancellor(a) during the planned transition period before the proposed abolition of the office and (b) subsequently, if the office is abolished; and if he will make a statement. [120022]

The Prime Minister

No. The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs has elected to receive only a salary and pension equivalent to that received by other Secretaries of State in the House of Lords.