In today’s session of the Council of State, the King has charged Ms. Sylvia Brustad, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, with responsibility for the department of aliens in the Ministry of Justice and the Police. The transfer is effective as of 7 June 2000. From 1 January 2001 it is intended that Ms. Brustad’s ministry shall be responsible for all matters relating to the policy of asylum and immigration.

From 1 January 2001 a new commission for alien affairs will be in function. The Aliens Commission will take over the appeal function of the department of aliens in the Ministry of Justice and the Police. The commission will report to the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, while the preparations to establish the commission until now has been the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice and the Police.

Following today’s decision, the minister who will become responsible for the Aliens Commission from 7 June will be responsible also for the preparations to establish the commission.

Jens Stoltenberg’s government was appointed on 17 March 2000. It represents the Labour Party. The Government has the following members:

Minister of Foreign Affairs:
Mr. Thorbjørn Jagland

Minister of Defence:
Mr. Bjørn Tore Godal

Minister of Trade and Industry:
also responsible for the coordination of government policy on information technology:
Ms. Grete Knudsen

Minister of Labour and Government Administration,
also responsible for the coordination of matters of Nordic cooperation:
Mr. Jørgen Kosmo

Minister of Finance:
Mr. Karl Eirik Schjøtt-Pedersen

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development,
also responsible for the department of aliens in the Ministry of Justice and the Police:
Ms. Sylvia Brustad

Minister of Health:
Mr. Tore Tønne

Minister of Cultural Affairs:
Ms. Ellen Horn

Minister of Social Affairs,
also responsible for Ministry’s department of administration
and department of budget and economy:
Ms. Guri Ingebrigtsen

Minister of Transport and Communications:
Mr. Terje Moe Gustavsen

Minister of Fisheries:
Mr. Otto Gregussen

Minister of International Development,
also deputy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs:
Ms. Anne Kristin Sydnes

Minister of the Environment:
Ms. Siri Bjerke

Minister of Agriculture:
Mr. Bjarne Håkon Hanssen

Minister of Justice and the Police,
with the exception of the department of aliens:
Ms. Hanne Harlem

Minister of Children and Family Affairs:
Ms. Karita Bekkemellem Orheim

Minister of Petroleum and Energy:
Mr. Olav Akselsen

Minister of Education, Research and Church Affairs:
Mr. Trond Giske