APPENDIX 5
Key Structural Changes Affecting
Government Departments in the 1970s
1972
Following a report from the House of Commons
Select Committee on Science and Technology, the a new Central
Computer Agency was set up within the Civil Service Department
(itself still relatively new). The new Agency took on the functions
of the following Departments: the Management Services (Computer)
Division of the Treasury; HMSO's Computer Procurement Division
and Central Computer Bureau; and the Technical Support Unit from
the Department of Trade and Industry.
Also during 1972 a number of departmental
agencies were created, such as the Employment Services Agency,
the Central Computer Agency, the Property Services Agency and
the British Overseas Trade Board.
1973
The Pay Board and the Price Commission were
set up.
1974
The relatively new giant Department of Trade
and Industry was abolished and its functions were transferred
to three new departments: the Department of Industry, the Department
of Trade and the Department of Prices and Consumer Protection.
The Ministry of Overseas Development was
re-created by removing the relevant functions from the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office.
The Pay Board (set up the previous year)
was abolished.
1975
The Equal Opportunities Commission was created,
with members appointed by the Home Secretary.
1976
The Department of Transport was created by
removing the relevant functions from the relatively new giant
Department of the Environment.
1977
The Commission for Racial Equality was created,
following enabling legislation in 1976. This new Commission replaced
the old Race Relations Board and the Community Relations Commission.
1979
The Department of Prices and Consumer Protection
was merged with the Department of Trade (which, itself, was abolished
in 1983 and its functions in part merged with the Department of
Industry to re-create the DTI, and in part to transferred to the
Department of Transport.
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