Axe national offices, says Opik

Mr Opik said the departments were a waste of money

The Liberal Democrats have called for the Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland Offices to be abolished.

The party's Northern Ireland and Wales spokesman, Lembit Opik, said they could be merged with the Department of Communities and Local Government.

Devolution across the UK has made the existence of separate departments a waste of money, he added.

By closing them down, the government could show devolution was "here to stay", Mr Opik said.

'Up and running'

Currently, Peter Hain serves as both Northern Ireland secretary and Welsh secretary.

Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander also handles the Scottish brief.

Mr Opik said: "With devolution now successfully up and running in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, there is absolutely no need to keep wasting taxpayers' money running four separate departments in London.

"The government should now recognise that the devolved Parliament in Scotland and the Assemblies in Northern Ireland and Wales are here to stay by abolishing the separate departments in Whitehall."

Scotland has had its own parliament since 1999 and Wales an assembly with devolved powers.

Devolution has recently been restored in Northern Ireland after a power-sharing agreement between the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein.

In the Scottish Parliament elections earlier this month, the Scottish National Party won the most seats.

Opponents of devolution argue it will lead to the break up of the United Kingdom.

But supporters say granting greater autonomy to individual nations will help strengthen the UK.