§ Mrs. Ann KeenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made in integrating the Department of the Environment and the Department of Transport. [3218]
§ Mr. PrescottSignificant progress had already been made in integrating the policies of the two Departments. To secure the maximum advantage from integration, and to simplify lines of responsibility, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport and I have concluded that the two Departments should now be merged into a single Department to be known as the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
This change will take place from Monday 16 June. Detailed decisions on organisational structures will not be taken before the end of September, and will be preceded by a process of review and consultation with staff and Trade Unions.