Reid is new Health Secretary - Falconer takes Constitutional Affairs

Reid is new Health Secretary – Falconer takes Constitutional Affairs

Reid is new Health Secretary – Falconer takes Constitutional Affairs

It has been announced that John Reid, the current Leader of the House of Commons, is to replace Alan Milburn as the Health Secretary.

Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has replaced Dr Reid as Leader of the House.

Lord Chancellor Lord Irvine has resigned from the Government, as has Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell.

A new portfolio of Constitional Affairs has been created to replace the Scottish and Welsh Offices, and to take over the court service functions of the Lord Chancellors Department, and this post has gone to Lord Falconer.

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling will speak on Scottish matters in the Commons, and Mr Hain will speak on Welsh issues.

A new speaker of the House of Lords – a role traditionally performed by the Lord Chancellor – is also to be created.

In addition, Lord MacDonald, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, has resigned – he made his intention to resign at the reshuffle clear some weeks ago.