§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which Government departments have maritime interests and responsibilities; and
Which minister is now responsible for the co-ordination of maritime policy.
§ Baroness BlatchThe following government departments have maritime interests and responsibilities: the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Ministry of Defence, the Employment Department, the Department of the Environment, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Northern Ireland Office, the Office of Public Service and Science, the Scottish Office, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Transport and the Welsh Office.
There is no single Minister with responsibility for the co-ordination of maritime policy. However, Ministers and officials in each of the departments concerned work closely together to ensure effective co-ordination. The Government believe that maritime interests are dealt with effectively within this framework.