HC Deb 21 May 1979 vol 967 cc22-3W
Mr. Anthony Grant

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out in the Official Report the precise responsibilities of the Ministers in his Department.

Mr. Whitelaw

I shall of course myself retain overall responsibility for all the matters dealt with by my Department. Within that, I am asking my hon. Friends to concentrate on, and to exercise delegated responsibility as appropriate for, particular subjects, under the following main headingsMy hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State the Member for Cleveland and Whitby (Mr. Brittan): Criminal justice matters including criminal law, penal policy, juvenile offenders, the magistrate's courts, and criminal justice casework; My hon. Friend the Minister of State, the Member for Aylesbury (Mr. Raison): Immigration and nationality; community relations and equal opportunities; voluntary services; animal welfare; radio regulation; and certain other licensing and regulatory functions; My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State (Lord Belstead): The police; treatment of offenders, including the prison system and the probation and after-care service; and the fire service.

My hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State, the Member for Cleveland and Whitby, will assist me in answering questions and dealing with the passage of legislation in this House on subjects which fall within the range of matters dealt with by my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State.