Cabinet Committees (Hansard, 21 October 1998)

§ The Prime Minister

An updated list of the names and membership of the Ministerial Committees which I have established to date is as follows. In addition to the members listed, other Members are invited to attend meetings as and when business requires:

Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs (EA)

Composition

Chancellor of the Exchequer (Chair)
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Secretary of State for Education and Employment
President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Minister for the Cabinet Office
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Health
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Secretary of State for Social Security
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Minister of State, Cabinet Office
Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest. The Chief Scientific Adviser attends for issues relating to science and technology.

Terms of Reference To consider issues relating to the Government's economic policies".

Ministerial Sub-Committee on Energy Policy (EA(N))

Composition

Chancellor of the Exchequer (Chair)
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
Paymaster General, Treasury
Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Minister of State, Cabinet Office
Minister of State, Scottish Office
Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office
Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office

Terms of Reference To consider the principles and objectives which should underlie the United Kingdom's energy strategy; and make recommendations for an energy strategy to the Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs".

Ministerial Sub-Committee on Welfare to Work (EA(WW))

Composition

Chancellor of the Exchequer (Chair)
Secretary of State for Education and Employment
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Secretary of State for Social Security
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Paymaster General, Treasury
Minister of State, Home Office
Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment
Minister of State, Cabinet Office
Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.

Terms of Reference To develop polices to get people from welfare to work and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs (EA)".

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Ministerial Committee on Public Services and Public Expenditure (PSX)

Composition

Chancellor of the Exchequer (Chair)
Lord Chancellor
President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Minister for the Cabinet Office
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)
Chief Secretary, Treasury Minister of State, Cabinet Office
Other Ministers are invited to attend for matters in which they have a departmental interest.

Terms of Reference To monitor progress against public service agreements, to review public expenditure allocations and make recommendations to the Cabinet.

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Chair)
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Minister for the Cabinet Office
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Health
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Secretary of State for International Development
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Minister of Transport
Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
The Secretary of State for Social Security and the Secretary of State for Education and Employment also receive papers. They and other Ministers are invited to attend as necessary. The Chief Scientific Adviser attends for issues relating to science and technology.

Terms of Reference To consider environmental policies and to co-ordinate those on sustainable development".

Ministerial Committee on Local Government (GL)

Composition

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Chair)
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Lord Chancellor
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Secretary of State for Education and Employment
President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Minister for the Cabinet Office
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Health
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Secretary of State for Social Security
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Minister of Transport
Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Minister of State, Cabinet Office
Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.

Terms of Reference To consider issues affecting local government, including the annual allocation of resources".

Ministerial Sub-Committee on London (GL(L))

Composition

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Chair)
Paymaster General, Treasury
Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment
Minister of State, Cabinet Office
Minister of State, Department of Health
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office
Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Culture, Media and Sport
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security

Terms of Reference To co-ordinate the Government's polices on London, and report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Local Government (GL) and the Ministerial Committee on Devolution Policy (DP)".

Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs (HS)

Composition

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Chair)
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Lord Chancellor
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Secretary of State for Education and Employment
President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Minister for the Cabinet Office
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Health
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Secretary of State for Social Security
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Minister of Transport
Minister of State, Cabinet Office
The Attorney-General, the Lord Advocate and the Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms also receive papers. They and others are invited to attend as necessary.

Terms of Reference To consider issues of home and social policy".

Ministerial Sub-Committee on Health Strategy (HS(H))

Composition

President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Chair)
Secretary of State for Health
Secretary of State for International Development
Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Minister of State, Department of Health
Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Economic Secretary, Treasury
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry
The Chief Medical Officer is in attendance.
Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.

Terms of Reference To oversee the development, implementation and monitoring of the Government's health strategy; to co-ordinate the Government's policies on United Kingdom-wide issues affecting health; and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs (HS)".

Ministerial Sub-Committee on Drug Misuse (HS(D))

Composition

Minister for the Cabinet Office (Chair)
Secretary of State for International Development
Solicitor-General
Financial Secretary, Treasury
Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Minister of State, Ministry of Defence
Minister of State, Department of Health
Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment
Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions also receives papers and may be invited to attend as appropriate.

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Terms of Reference To co-ordinate the Government's national and international policies for tackling drugs misuse, and report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs (HS)".

Ministerial Sub-Committee on Women's Issues (HS(W)) Composition

Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal) (Chair)
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for International Development
Minister of State, Scottish Office
Minister of State, Department of Health
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Economic Secretary, Treasury
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment
Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry

Terms of Reference To review and develop the Government's policy and strategy on issues of special concern to women; to oversee their implementation; and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs (HS)".

Ministerial Committee on The Queen's Speeches and Future Legislation (QFL) Composition

President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Chair)
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Lord Chancellor
Minister for the Cabinet Office
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed by Lord Privy Seal)
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Attorney-General
Lord Advocate
Minister of State, Cabinet Office
Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is invited to attend for discussions of The Queen's Speeches

Terms of Reference To prepare and submit to the Cabinet drafts of The Queen's Speeches to Parliament and proposals for the Government's legislative programme".

Ministerial Committee on Legislation (LEG) Composition

President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Chair)
Lord Chancellor
Secretary of State for Scotland
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
Secretary of State for Wales
Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)
Attorney-General
Lord Advocate
Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Minister of State, Home Office
Financial Secretary, Treasury
Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland also receives papers and is invited to attend as necessary.

Terms of Reference To examine all draft Bills; to consider the parliamentary handling of Government Bills, European Community documents and Private Members' business, and such other related matters as may be necessary; and to keep under review the Government's policy in relation to issues of Parliamentary procedures".

Ministerial Committee on Constitutional Reform Policy (CRP)

Composition

Prime Minister (Chair)
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Lord Chancellor
Secretary of State for the Home Department
President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Minister for the Cabinet Office
Secretary of State for Scotland
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)
Other Ministers may be invited to attend as necessary.

Terms of Reference To consider strategic issues relating to the Government's constitutional reform policies".

Ministerial Sub-Committee on Incorporation of the European Convention of Human Rights (CRP(EC))

Composition

Lord Chancellor (Chair)
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Secretary of State for Education and Employment
President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Defence
Secretary of State for Health
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Secretary of State for Social Security
Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Attorney-General
Lord Advocate
Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest. The Minister of State, Cabinet Office receives papers.

Terms of Reference To consider policy and other issues arising from the Government's decision to legislate for the incorporation of ECHR in UK law and to promote and oversee progress of the relevant legislation through Parliament and its subsequent implementation, reporting as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Constitutional Reform Policy".

Ministerial Sub-Committee on Freedom of Information (CRP(FOI))

Composition

Lord Chancellor (Chair)
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Secretary of State for Education and Employment
President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Minister for the Cabinet Office
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Defence
Secretary of State for Health
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Secretary of State for International Development
Secretary of State for Social Security
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
Attorney-General
Lord Advocate
Minister of Transport
Minister of State, Cabinet Office
Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.

Terms of Reference To consider policy and other issues arising from the Government's decision to legislate on freedom of information; to promote and oversee progress of the relevant legislation through Parliament and its subsequent implementation; and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Constitutional Reform Policy".

Ministerial Sub-committee on House of Lords Reform (CRP(HL))

Composition

Lord Chancellor (Chair)
Secretary of State for the Home Department
President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Minister for the Cabinet Office
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)
Captain of the Gentlemen at Arms
Minister of State, Cabinet Office
Other Ministers are invited to attend as necessary.

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Terms of Reference To consider policy and other issues arising from the Government's plans for reform of the House of Lords and to make recommendations to the Ministerial Committee on Constitutional Reform Policy".

Ministerial Committee on Devolution Policy (DP)

Composition

Lord Chancellor (Chair)
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Secretary of State for Education and Employment
President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Health
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Secretary of State for Social Security
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms
Attorney-General
Lord Advocate
Minister of State, Cabinet Office
Other Ministers are invited for items in which they have departmental interest.

Terms of Reference To consider policy and other issues arising from the Government's policies for devolution to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and the regions of England and to promote and oversee progress of the relevant legislation through Parliament and its subsequent implementation".

Joint Consultative Committee with the Liberal Democratic Party (JCC)

Composition The Committee will be chaired by the Prime Minister. Other Ministers and Liberal Democratic spokesmen will be invited to attend as necessary.

Terms of Reference To consider policy issues of joint interest to the Government and the Liberal Democratic Party".

Ministerial Committee on Defence and Overseas Policy (DOP) Composition

Prime Minister (Chair)
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Secretary of State for Defence
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
The Chief of the Defence Staff attends as required, as do the Chiefs of Staff when necessary. Others are invited to attend as necessary.

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Terms of Reference To keep under review the Government's defence and overseas policy".

Ministerial Sub-Committee on European Issues ((E)DOP)

Composition

Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Chair)
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Secretary of State for Education and Employment
President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Minister for the Cabinet Office
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Defence
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Secretary of State for International Development
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
Attorney-General
Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe
The Minister of State, Cabinet Office reviews papers
Other Ministers are invited to attend as the nature of the business requires.
The United Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the European Union is also in attendance.

Terms of Reference To consider questions relating to the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Defence and Overseas Policy (DOP)".

Ministerial Committee on Northern Ireland (IN)

Composition

Prime Minister (Chair)
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Secretary of State for Defence
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Terms of Reference To oversee the Government's policy on Northern Ireland issues and relations with the Republic of Ireland on these matters".

Ministerial Committee on the Intelligence Services (CSI)

Composition

Prime Minister (Chair)
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Secretary of State for Defence

Terms of Reference To keep under review policy on the security and intelligence services".

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Ministerial Group on Food Safety (MISC 1)

Composition

President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Chair)
Secretary of State for Education and Employment
Minister for the Cabinet Office
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Health
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry
The Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury and Chief Whip will also receive papers and may attend as necessary.

Terms of Reference To co-ordinate Departmental consideration of issues arising from the establishment of a Food Standards Agency and other aspects of food safety, and to make recommendations to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs".

Ministerial Group on Crime Reduction and Youth Justice (MISC 2)

Composition

Secretary of State for the Home Department (Chair)
Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Women (appointed as Lord Privy Seal)
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Solicitor-General
Minister of State, Home Office
Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department
Minister of State, Cabinet Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment
Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland also receives papers, and may attend or be represented as necessary.

Terms of Reference To oversee the Government's programme to reduce crime and the reform of youth justice and to make recommendations to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs".

Ministerial Group on Utility Regulation (MISC 3)

Composition

Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Chair)
Minister of Transport
Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Paymaster General, Treasury
Minister of State, Scottish Office
Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office
Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry
Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.

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Terms of Reference To oversee an inter-departmental review of regulation of the utility industries, to consider issues arising from the review and to report to the Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs (EA)".

Ministerial Group On The Millennium Date Change (MISC 4)

Composition

President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Chair)
Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Paymaster General, Treasury
Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Minister of State, Home Office
Minister of State, Scottish Office
Minister of State, Ministry of Defence
Minister of State, Department of Health
Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment
Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry
Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.
The Chairman of Action 2000 and the Prime Minister's Adviser on the Year 2000 problem are invited to attend.

Terms of Reference To drive action in the public and private sector, including the national infrastructure, to prevent damage from the failure of electronic systems related to the Year 2000 date change".

Ministerial Group on the Restructuring of the European Aerospace and Defence Industry (MISC 5)

Composition

Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Chair)
Secretary of State for Defence
Paymaster General
Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry

Terms of Reference To develop Government policy and co-ordinate related activity in promoting the restructuring of the European aerospace and defence industry".

Ministerial Group on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification (MISC 6) Composition

Minister for the Cabinet Office (Chair)
Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Financial Secretary, Treasury
Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Minister of State, Home Office
Minister of State, Cabinet Office
Minister of State, Department of Health
Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry
Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry
The Chief Scientific Adviser also attends.

Terms of Reference To consider issues relating to biotechnology, in particular those arising from genetic modification".

Ministerial Group on Better Government (MISC 7) Composition

Minister for the Cabinet Office (Chair)
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Secretary of State for Education and Employment
Secretary of State for Health
Secretary of State for Social Security
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Minister of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department
Minister of State, Scottish Office
Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office
Minister of State, Cabinet Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office

Terms of Reference To develop the Government's programme for improving the quality, coherence and responsiveness of public services and to oversee its implementation".