London: In a major Cabinet reshuffle, British Prime Minister Tony Blair has appointed John Reid, the leader of the House of Commons, as the Health Secretary and Lord Falconer as the Secretary of State for the newly-formed Constitutional Affairs department.

Former Welsh Secretary Peter Hain has been elevated to replace Reid as the leader of the House of Commons. He will continue to speak on Wales there, while Transport Secretary Alastair Darling will speak on Scotland, official sources said in London on June 12.

The historic post of Lord Chancellor has been abolished with its final holder, Lord Irvine, retiring. Most of its powers will be taken over by the newly carved department of Constitutional Affairs.

Lord Falconer, Blair's former flatmate, will also have the responsibilities of the Scottish and Welsh offices.

Combative Reid replaces Alan Milburn as the Health Secretary. Milburn put in his papers on June 12 to spend more time with his family.

In another significant constitutional reform the Lord Chancellor's role as a judge and Speaker of the House of Lords has also been abolished, they said.

The new Speaker of the Lords will not be a minister while a new Supreme Court will replace the existing system of Law Lords - a panel of judges who sit in the House of Lords – and the new secretary of state will not be a member.

PTI