The former Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr John Reid, has been appointed Health Secretary in a Cabinet reshuffle by British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair.
He will replace Mr Alan Milburn, who resigned from government this morning.
Mr Peter Hain replaces Mr Reid as Leader of the Commons.
The Lord Chancellor Lord Irvine has retired from government and another ofMr Blair's legal colleagues Lord Falconer becomes head of a new department forconstitutional affairs which incorporates the Scottish and Welsh offices.
The new Department of Constitutional Affairs will take over responsibilitiesfrom the Scottish and Welsh offices. Mr Hain will speak on Welsh matters inthe Commons and Transport Secretary Alistair Darling will represent Scotland.
Mr Blair's spokesman said Mr Milburn wanted to leave the government because he found it increasingly difficult to balance a young family with the demands of being a cabinet minister.
A number of positions have been empty since former foreign secretary Mr Robin Cook and others resigned over the war in Iraq.