U.K. is closer to establishing homeland security ministry

Great Britain's Finance Minister Gordon Brown told government officials Nov. 2 he wants to set up a single, $3.8 billion budget for fighting terrorism in the United Kingdom, according to British news reports.

Brown, who is expected to succeed Prime Minister Tony Blair within a year, indicated he was reviewing government expenditures. It is believed he is considering creating a single homeland security department by combining the budgets of the Home Office, Intelligence Service and Defence Ministry.

Brown made the comments in a written ministerial statement to his cabinet.

Brown said the spending review would look at "how to harness new technology for security to prevent terrorists and criminals exploiting multiple identities," according to news reports.

Conservatives in the U.K. government have been pushing for formation of a homeland security department modeled after the U.S. federal agency.