Government Departments, Secretaries of State and Ministers (Adam Teladia)

Government Departments, Secretaries of State and Ministers

July 6, 2007 12:02 AM

In my posts Brown's new Cabinet and The revolving doors of power I spoken about how government departments have been changed, reorganised or reshaped. As Prime Minister Gordon Brown has renamed the Department for Trade and Industry and split the Department for Education and Skills into two departments the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. Some people may remember how Tony Blair tried to abolition the Lord Chancellorship and rename the Department for Trade and Industry to the Department for Productivity, Energy and Industry.

I believe that this sort of changing, reorganising and reshaping of government is not the way we should be doing things since there is usually little or no parliamentary, professional or public debate, dialogue and discussion. Sometimes short terms decisions are made by governments to show accomplishment, achievement and action when what is needed is calculated, long-term and strategic reorganisation of government is needed.

What I think we should be doing is ensuring that there is proper consultation with the public, professionals and parliament before reorganisation of governmental departments and that reorganisation of governmental departments should be subject to parliaments approval prior to the changes being carried out.

Not only should parliament have a say in the establishment, reorganisation and closing of government department but parliament should also have the opportunity to question the Prime Ministers nominated Secretary of State and Ministers. This can be done through an interview by the relevant departments select committee. The Secretaries of State and Ministers should only be able to take office once Parliament has had a chance to approve the Prime Ministers nominates.