HC Deb 20 April 1983 vol 41 cc283-4
46. Mr. Dormand

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many civil servants there are in the northern region.

The Minister of State, Treasury (Mr. Barney Hayhoe)

The latest figures available, at 1 October 1982, were 33,583 non-industrial and 4,526 industrial civil servants located in the northern region.

Mr. Dormand

Will the Minister confirm that none of those posts have been transferred to the northern region since May 1979 as a result of this Government's deliberate policy? Is he aware that his Government have a continuing policy whereby private firms are being constantly urged to transfer their headquarters and their research and development organisations to the region? Therefore, why do not the Government set an example and transfer their own organisations? Would that not be some proof that the Government are determined to help the region?

Mr. Hayhoe

Yes, I can confirm both the points made by the hon. Gentleman. As to the Government's policy, I can only reaffirm that, in considering the location of new work or the relocation of work for operational reasons, the pressing needs of particular areas are taken into account.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

Does the hon. Gentleman recall that it was a Labour Government who proposed the shift of the Government Chemist to my constituency in the northern region, and that it was a Conservative Government who rescinded that decision, preventing the transfer taking place? Is that not clear evidence of the Government's opposition to the transfer of Civil Service jobs and institutions from London and the areas of central population to the outer regions, such as the northern region, where we desperately require that work? Can we have some additional Civil Service establishments in the northern region?

Mr. Hayhoe

The Government's policy on the dispersal of civil servants was made clear in our early days. I can confirm that the policy then laid down is being followed. Already, in the northern region civil servants amount to about 3.4 per cent. of the working population, and only three other regions have a higher percentage of civil servants in their working populations.

Mr. Ron Lewis

Can the Minister confirm that an investigation is taking place into the number of civil servants in the northern region? Can he give an undertaking that there will be no redundancies arising out of that review?

Mr. Hayhoe

A review is taking place on the future manpower needs of the Civil Service generally. I cannot give the assurance that the hon. Gentleman seeks—that no redundancies will take place—but I can say that the substantial rundown that has occurred in the Civil Service of 80,000 jobs since the Government took office has been accomplished through a process of natural wastage.