The House of Commons’ justice committee is to undertake an inquiry into the structure and budget of the Ministry of Justice and its associated public bodies.

The inquiry will focus on the potential contribution of further structural changes to future efficiency savings and improved performance.

The wide-ranging inquiry will attempt to determine the MoJ’s core objectives and which of its functions are essential. It will examine whether any of its functions could be best provided by others, or not at all.

It will also look at costs and efficiencies, the changes to the administration of legal aid, the use of information technology and other key issues.

Submissions are due by 30 September and the evidence sessions will start in the autumn.

The committee has launched two further inquiries, into the common law doctrine of joint enterprise which allows a number of people to be charged and convicted for the same offence, and into the presumption of death.