Catalogue description Office of Public Service and Office of Public Service and Science

In 1992 responsibility for civil science policy, including the research councils, was transferred from the former Department of Education and Science to a new Office of Science and Technology. This Office and the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service were combined to form the Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service and Science, the political head of this Office being the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, with cabinet rank. The Office of Science and Technology retained a separate identity within the new office.

Responsibility for the Civil Service Occupational Health Service was inherited by the Office of Public Service and Science from the Office of the Minister for the Civil Service in 1992.

The Ceremonial Branch also became part of the Office of Public Service and Science in 1992.

In 1994 a new post of director general of the research councils was created within the Cabinet Office, the incumbent serving also as chairman of the Advisory Board for the Research Councils. In 1995 the Office of Science and Technology was transferred from the Cabinet Office to the Department for Trade and Industry, and Science was dropped from the title of the Office of Public Service.