Research and Information Service Research Paper 4 September 2012 Ray McCaffrey & Tim Moore Machinery of Government Departmental Arrangements NIAR 592-12 The term ‘machinery of government’ describes a variety of organisational or structural aspects of government, most commonly the number and names of government departments and ministerial portfolios. This research paper outlines the principles upon which machinery of government arrangements are made and addresses the arrangements existing in the UK, Ireland and elsewhere. In particular, the paper examines the move towards a more thematic approach to arrangements in Scotland and Wales and explores the potential for change in Northern Ireland. Paper 126/12 4 September 2012 Research and Information Service briefings are compiled for the benefit of MLAs and their support staff. Authors are available to discuss the contents of these papers with Members and their staff but cannot advise members of the general public. We do, however, welcome written evidence that relate to our papers and these should be sent to the Research and Information Service, Northern Ireland Assembly, Room 139, Parliament Buildings, Belfast BT4 3XX or e-mailed to
[email protected] NIAR 592-12 Research Paper Executive Summary Principles of machinery of government changes Machinery of government relates to the structural organisation of government, including the allocation of functions and the number of departments and ministerial portfolios. Modern attempts to define how government should be structured in the UK date back to the Haldane Committee in 1918, which recommended that the UK Government should be organised according to the services to be performed, for example separate ministries for health, education defence etc.