§ Lord O'Haganasked Her Majesty's Government:
How those tasks previously carried out by the Central Policy Review Staff will be discharged.
§ The Lord President of the Council (Viscount Whitelaw)The principal purpose for which the Central Policy Review Staff was set up in 1971 was to provide policy analysis and collective advice to Ministers. Since then, however, departments have established or expanded their own policy units for long-term planning and the Cabinet Office Secretariat's role in preparing issues for collective Ministerial discussion has grown considerably. A policy unit has also been established in the Prime Minister's office, and the role of special advisers as a source of general advice to Ministers has been developed.
When the CPRS disbands at the end of July, the Chief Scientist, CPRS, will continue to advise the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Office on scientific and technological matters, with the title Chief Scientific Adviser, Cabinet Office.