$Unique_ID{bob00511} $Pretitle{} $Title{United Kingdom Government Departments} $Subtitle{} $Author{Embassy of the United Kingdom, Washington DC} $Affiliation{Embassy of the United Kingdom, Washington DC} $Subject{government departments office department public bodies services gb information policy} $Date{1990} $Log{} Title: United Kingdom Book: Britain's System of Government Author: Embassy of the United Kingdom, Washington DC Affiliation: Embassy of the United Kingdom, Washington DC Date: 1990 Government Departments Government departments are the main instruments for giving effect to government policy when Parliament has passed the necessary legislation, and for advising ministers. They may, and often do, work with and through local authorities, statutory boards, and government-sponsored organisations operating under various degrees of government control. A change of government does not necessarily affect the number or general functions of government departments, although a radical change in policy may be accompanied by some organisational change. The work of some departments (for instance, the Ministry of Defence) covers Britain as a whole. Other departments (such as the Department of Employment) cover England, Wales and Scotland, but not Northern Ireland. Others, such as the Department of the Environment, are mainly concerned with affairs in England. Some departments, such as the Department of Trade and Industry, maintain a regional organisation, and some which have direct contact with the public throughout the country (for example, the Department of Employment) also have local offices. A department is usually headed by a minister. Certain departments in which questions of policy do not normally arise are headed by a permanent official, and a minister with other duties is responsible for them to Parliament. For instance, ministers in the Treasury are responsible for the Central Office of Information, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, HM Customs and Excise, the Inland Revenues and a number of other departments, including the Central Statistical Office, the Royal Mint, and the National Investment and Loans Office. Departments generally receive their funds directly out of money provided by Parliament and are staffed by members of the Civil Service. Non-Departmental Public Bodies A number of bodies with a role in the process of government are neither government departments nor part of a department (in April 1989 the figure was 1,555). Known as non-departmental public bodies, but often popularly described as `quangos ('quasi-autonomous non-governmental organisations', although there is no precise definition of the term), they are of three kinds: executive bodies, advisory bodies and tribunals. Executive Bodies Executive bodies normally employ staff and have their own budget. They consist of public bodies which carry out, among other duties, executive, administrative, regulatory or commercial functions. They operate typically within broad policy guidelines set by departmental ministers but are in varying degrees independent of government in carrying out their day-to-day responsibilities. Examples include the Arts Council of Great Britain, the British Council, the Commonwealth Development Corporation and the Commission for Racial Equality. Tribunals Tribunals are a specialised group of judicial bodies which are akin to courts of law. They are normally set up under statutory powers which also govern their constitution, functions and procedure. Tribunals often consist of laypeople, but they are generally chaired by someone who is legally qualified. They tend to be less expensive, and less formal, than courts of law. Independently of the executive, tribunals decide the rights and obligations of private citizens towards one another or towards a government department or other public authority. Important examples are industrial tribunals, rent tribunals and social security appeal tribunals. Tribunals usually consist of an uneven number of people so that a majority decision can be reached. Members are normally appointed by the minister concerned with the subject. Tribunals and advisory bodies do not normally employ staff or spend money themselves, but their expenses are paid by the government departments concerned. Advisory Bodies Many government departments are assisted by advisory councils or committees which undertake research and collect information, mainly to give ministers access to informed opinion before they come to a decision involving a legislative or executive act. In some cases a minister must consult a standing committee, but usually advisory bodies are appointed at the discretion of the minister. The membership of the advisory councils and committees varies according to the nature of the work involved, and will usually include representatives of varying interests and professions. In addition to the standing advisory bodies, there are committees set up by the Government to examine and make recommendations on specific matters. For certain important inquiries Royal Commissions, whose members are chosen for their wide experience and diverse knowledge, may be appointed. Royal Commissions examine written and oral evidence from government departments, interested organisations and individuals, and submit recommendations. The Government may accept the recommendations in whole or in part, or may decide to take no further action or to delay action. Inquiries may also be undertaken by departmental committees. Government Information Services Each of the main government departments has its own information division or directorate, public relations branch or news department. These are normally staffed by professional information officers responsible for communicating their department's policies and activities to the news media and the public (sometimes using publicity services provided by the Central Office of Information-see p 24) and for advising their departments on the public's reaction to them. As press adviser to the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister's Press Secretary and other staff in the Prime Minister's Press Office have direct and constant contact with the parliamentary press through regular meetings with the Lobby correspondents. The Lobby correspondents are a group of political correspondents who have the special privilege of access to the Lobby of the House of Commons where they can talk privately to government ministers and other members of the House. The Prime Minister's Press Office forms the accepted channel through which information about parliamentary business is conveyed to the media. Distribution of Functions An outline of the principal functions of the main government departments is given below. Departments are arranged in alphabetical order, except for the Scottish and Northern Ireland departments, which are grouped at the end of the section, and the Cabinet Office, described on p 20. Further information on the work of some departments is given in later chapters under the relevant subject headings. Department Main areas of responsibility The work of many of the departments listed on pp 23-6 covers Britain as a whole. Where this is not the case, the following abbreviations are used: (GB) for functions covering England, Wales and Scotland; (E, W & NI) for those covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland; (E & W) for those covering England and Wales; and (E) for those concerned with England only. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Policies of agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and food; responsibilities for related environmental and rural issues (E); food policies. Office of Arts and Libraries General promotion of arts (GB); library and information services (E with advice to W and NI); national museums (E); public libraries and local museums (E); British Library; national heritage. Crown Prosecution Service An independent department specialising in the prosecution of criminal offences; headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is supervised by the Attorney General (E & W). HM Customs and Excise Collecting and accounting for revenues of Customs and Excise, including value added tax; agency functions including controlling certain imports and exports and compiling trade statistics. Ministry of Defence Defence policy and control and administration of the armed services. Department of Education and Science Policies for education (E); the Government's relations with universities (GB); fostering civil science in Britain and internationally. The Office of Electricity Regulation (OFFER) Promotion of competition in the generation and supply of electricity; ensuring that all reasonable demands for electricity are satisfied; protection of consumer interests (GB). Department of Employment The Employment Service, employment policy and legislation; training policy and legislation; health and safety at work; industrial relations, wages councils, equal opportunities; small firms and tourism; statistics on labour and industrial matters (GB); the Careers Service (E); international representation on employment matters. Department of Energy Policies for all forms of energy, including its efficient use and the development of new sources; the Government's relations with the energy industries. Department of the Environment Policies for planning and regional development, local government, new towns, housing, construction, inner city matters, environmental protection, water, the countryside, sport and recreation, conservation, historic buildings and ancient monuments (E); and Property Services Agency (GB). ECGD (Export Credits Guarantee Department) Provision of insurance for exporters against the risk of not being paid for goods and services, and access to bank finance for exports; insurance cover for new investment overseas. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Conduct of Britain's overseas relations. Office of Gas Supply Monitoring of British Gas as the sole public gas supplier, ensuring compliance with its statutory obligations, and granting authorisations to other suppliers of gas through pipes; development of competition in the industrial market. Department of Health National Health Service, personal social services provided by local authorities, and certain aspects of public health, including hygiene (E). Home Office Administration of justice; criminal law; treatment of offenders, including probation; the prison service; the police; crime prevention; fire and civil defence services; licensing laws; scrutiny of local authority by-laws; control of firearms and dangerous drugs; electoral matters (E & W). Gaming and lotteries (GB). Regulation of broadcasting; passports, immigration and nationality; race relations and sex discrimination. Responsibilities relating to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Central Office of Information An executive agency providing publicity material and other information services on behalf of government departments and a number of publicly funded organisations. Board of Inland Revenue Administration of direct taxes; collection of National Insurance contributions. Valuation of land and buildings (GB). The Law Officers' Departments Provision of advice to the Government on English law and representation of the Crown in appropriate domestic and international cases, both civil and criminal, by the Law Officers of the Crown for England and Wales-the Attorney General and the Solicitor General (E & W). The Attorney General, who is also Attorney General for Northern Ireland, superintends the Treasury Solicitor's Department, the Crown Prosecution Service (E & W), the Serious Fraud Office (E, W & NI) and the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland (NI). The Lord Chancellor's Department Administration of the Supreme Court (Court of Appeal, High Court, Crown Court) and the county courts (E & W), together with certain other courts and tribunals, and all work relating to judicial and quasi-judicial appointments. Responsibility for civil and criminal legal aid. Promotion of general reforms in the civil law. (The Home Office has important responsibilities for the criminal law.) Ordnance Survey Official surveying and mapping, including geodetic surveys and associated scientific work, and topographic surveys covering Great Britain and some overseas countries. Overseas Development Administration Administration of financial aid to, and technical co-operation in, developing countries. Parliamentary Counsel Drafting of government Bills (except those relating exclusively to Scotland); advising departments on parliamentary procedure (E, W & NI). Paymaster General's Office Provision of banking services for government departments other than the Boards of Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise, and the payment of public service pensions. Office of Population Censuses and Surveys Administration of the Marriage Acts and local registration of births, marriages and deaths; population estimates and projections; compilation of health statistics; censuses (E & W). Surveys for other government departments (GB). HM Procurator General and Treasury Solicitor's Department Provision of a common legal service for a large number of government departments. Duties include instructing Parliamentary Counsel on Bills and drafting subordinate legislation; providing litigation and conveyancing services; and giving general advice on the interpretation and application of the law (E & W). Serious Fraud Office Investigating and prosecuting serious or complex fraud under the supervision of the Attorney General (E, W & NI). Department of Social Security The social security system (GB). Three new executive agencies are to cover the main aspects of the Department's work: an Information Technology Services Agency; a Benefits Agency; and a Contributions Unit. HMSO (Her Majesty's Stationery Office) An executive agency providing stationery, printing and related services to Parliament, government departments and other public bodies; and publishing and selling government documents. Central Statistical Office Preparing and interpreting key economic statistics needed for government policies; collecting and publishing business statistics; publishing annual statistical digests. Office of Telecommunications (OFTEL) Monitoring of British Telecom, Mercury, and other telecommunications operators; enforcing competition legislation and representing telecommunications users' interests. Department of Trade and Industry Industrial and commercial policy, promotion of enterprise and competition, information about new methods and opportunities, investor and consumer protection. Specific responsibilities include industrial innovation policy; regional industrial policy and inward investment promotion; management development and business/education links; international trade policy; commercial relations and export promotion; competition policy; company law; insolvency; radio regulation; patents and copyright protection (GB). Department of Transport Land, sea and air transport; sponsorship of the nationalised London Transport and British Rail; domestic and international civil aviation; international transport agreements; shipping and the ports industry; marine pollution; oversight of road transport (GB); motorways and trunk roads; road safety; and oversight of local authority transport (E). HM Treasury Broad economic strategy with particular responsibilities for public finance and expenditure, including control of staffing and pay in the Civil Service. Office of Water Services Monitoring the activities of companies appointed as water and sewerage undertakers (E & W). Welsh Office Many aspects of Welsh affairs, including health and personal social services; education, except for terms and conditions of service, student awards and the University of Wales; the Welsh language and culture; agriculture and fisheries; forestry; local government; housing; water and sewerage; environmental protection; sport; land use, including town and country planning; countryside and nature conservation; new towns, ancient monuments and historic buildings; roads; tourism; a range of matters affecting the careers service and the training activities of the Department of Employment in Wales; selective financial assistance to industry; the Urban Programme in Wales; the operation of the European Regional Development Fund in Wales and other European Community matters; non-departmental public bodies; civil emergencies; all financial aspects of these matters including Welsh revenue support grant; and oversight responsibilities for economic affairs and regional planning in Wales.