Although it has been confirmed that Elliot Morley has replaced Michael Meacher as environment minister, it has not yet been decided whether the Scunthorpe MP will have waste in his portfolio.
It is thought likely that waste will go to Mr Morley despite his agricultural policy background, since it may have too high a profile for a junior minister to take charge following the major review carried out by the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit in 2002. But there have been occasions in the past when a junior minister has overseen waste, so experts have not ruled out such a possibility.
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry is in some disarray following the resignation of trade and industry minister Brian Wilson. Mr Wilson resigned on Friday June 13, at the same time as his colleague in DEFRA, saying that he was “looking forward to a more normal life”.
As trade and industry minister he had been involved in the DTI's work on end of life vehicles, waste electronics as well as sustainable development. Mr Wilson is replaced by East Ham MP Stephen Timms, who was formerly the minister for “e-commerce” at the DTI. First elected to the Commons in 1994, Mr Timms will now be responsible for energy, e-commerce, sustainable development and corporate social responsibility.
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