Construction's new boss is industry and energy minister Brian Wilson. He will oversee the move from the old DETR – it remains to be seen whether his department will offer the same support for Egan's Rethinking construction agenda. Wilson reports to DTI secretary of state Patricia Hewitt.
Commenting on the move, John Nelson, executive secretary of the Constructors Liaison Group, said: "I'm disappointed that we don't have a specific minister for construction like we used to have in Nick Raynsford. But this is an excellent opportunity – the department is very progressive and high-powered." Raynsford has moved to local government minister within the new DTLR, where Stephen Byers is secretary of state. To compound the fragmentation, procurement issues will be dealt with by the Office of Government Commerce and Margaret Beckett's Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will deal with sustainable development.
Source
Electrical and Mechanical Contractor