23 May 2003
Scotland's deputy first minister, Jim Wallace, is to take on the task of reviving its flagging economy, at the heart of First Minister Jack McConnell's new administration.
Wallace, the Liberal Democrat leader, takes over as enterprise and lifelong learning minister, one of three LibDems in the new Cabinet team of 11. Former education minister Cathy Jamieson takes Wallace's old job as justice minister.
'The high expectations people had for the Parliament must be realised,' McConnell said. 'The team I have appointed will help achieve that by raising their game, listening to the people of Scotland and delivering real improvements in services and the law.'
Andy Kerr retains the finance portfolio, while Labour's Patricia Ferguson stays as Parliamentary business minister. Jamieson's old post is taken over by Labour's Peter Peacock.
The number of ministers has been slimmed down from 20 to 18, although the size of the Cabinet has increased from ten to 11.
The team was endorsed in votes by the Scottish Parliament on May 21.
PFmay2003
