Council of Civil Service Unions v Minister for the Civil Service (GCHQ) is a British intelligence agency that provides signals intelligence to the British government and armed forces. Prior to 1983 its existence was not acknowledged, despite the fact that it openly recruited graduates. Following a spy scandal in 1983, the organisation became known to the public, and the government of Margaret Thatcher decided a year later that employees would not be allowed to join a trade union for national security reasons. The Minister for the Civil Service is a position held "ex officio" by the Prime Minister. This was done through an Order in Council, an exercise of the Royal
Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands the Islands is Paul Wheelhouse. Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands The Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands is a member of the Scottish Government who works reports to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy. As a Junior Minister the post holder is not a member of the Scottish Government Cabinet. Responsibilities include: From the advent of devolution in 1999 the ministerial portfolios of transport and infrastructure were combined with Environment to form the Minister for Transport and the Environment. From 2000 to 2001, in the government of First Minister Henry McLeish, the environment brief was removed and