Contents
Terms of Reference
Summary
Chapter 1: Introduction
Box 1: Why inter-governmental relations are
important
The purpose of inter-governmental relations
Carrying out the inquiry
Chapter 2: The formal structures of inter-governmental
relations
The existing structures
The Joint Ministerial Committee
Lessons from other examples of inter-governmental
relations
Devolved and federal systems
The British-Irish Council
Improving the formal structures
The importance of a formal framework
The current Joint Ministerial Committee
Bilateral forums
Box 2: Complexity and inter-dependency: Welfare
powers
Policy co-operation and co-ordination
Box 3: Policy and research co-operation:
driver behaviour
Dispute resolution
A statutory basis for inter-governmental
relations
The Finance Ministers' Quadrilateral
Independent advice on funding the devolved
administrations
An imbalanced relationship?
Equal participants
Mutual respect
Chapter 3: Ministerial responsibilities
Territorial Offices and Secretaries of State
Recommendations and changes, 2002-10
Current ministerial and departmental responsibilities
Towards a merged department?
Arguments in favour
Arguments against
Central co-ordination and responsibility
Chapter 4: The Civil Service and departmental
interactions
Formal and informal arrangements
An inconsistent approach
Guidance
Experience and expertise among civil servants
Chapter 5: Transparency and parliamentary
scrutiny
Transparency
Joint Ministerial Committee and formal bilateral
meetings
Civil service
Committee scrutiny
Current committee structures
Proposed new committee
Cross-parliamentary co-operation
Wider parliamentary scrutiny
Regular statements and debates
Parliamentary debates and devolved matters
Chapter 6: Inter-governmental relations,
devolution and the future of the United Kingdom
Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations
Appendix 1: List of members and declarations
of interests
Appendix 2: List of witnesses
Appendix 3: Call for Evidence
Evidence is published online at www.parliament.uk/inter-governmental-relations and
available for inspection at the Parliamentary Archives (020 7218
3074).
Q in footnotes refers to a question in oral
evidence.
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