HC Deb 25 July 1983 vol 46 cc783-4
26. Mr. Chapman

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if there are any plans to disperse some civil servants presently working in central London to outer London boroughs.

Mr. Hayhoe

Not within the dispersal programme announced on 26 July 1979, but the Laboratory of the Government Chemist will be relocated in 1988 from central London to Teddington.

Mr. Chapman

As traffic congestion continues to get worse in central London, and as there is a prospect of London having its first completed orbital motorway in three years' time, is not my hon. Friend's answer significant? Might not the trend to have fewer civil servants located in central London and more located in outer London boroughs be convenient for the public and, perhaps, more civil servants?

Mr. Hayhoe

One of the reasons for discontinuing the dispersal initiative of some years ago was the heavy public expenditure involved. The points that my hon. Friend has made will be taken into account if it is necessary to relocate work.

27. Mr. Arnold

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will list the responsibilities of the Minister for the Civil Service so far as the dispersal of civil servants is concerned.

Mr. Hayhoe

The Minister for the Civil Service is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the dispersal programme announced on 26 July 1979.

Mr. Arnold

Why have the Government been so coy about telling the Table Office what my right hon. Friend's responsibilities are in this matter? For example, in the development of policy, what consideration is given to ensuring that a sufficient number of senior civil servants are employed outside London?

Mr. Hayhoe

I cannot comment on the coyness or non-coyness of the Table Office. I should have thought that that was a matter for you, Mr. Speaker. I have always found it extremely helpful in dealing with hon. Members. Information about the responsibilities of the Management and Personnel Office is to be found in documents that are available to the House.

With regard to senior civil servants, I am not aware of any particular case that is pending. If my hon. Friend has one in mind, perhaps he will draw my attention to it.

Mr. Fallon

Does my hon. Friend agree that the key to dispersing civil servants is to disperse Civil Service work? Will he encourage our right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science to disperse more of his Department's functions to its provincial centres.

Mr. Hayhoe

As I have already said, an important issue that must be taken into account when considering dispersal is the cost to the taxpayer. It is important to ensure that we achieve the greatest possible value for money and do not get involved in dispersal programmes that will be costly to the taxpayer.

Mr. Eggar

Is my hon. Friend aware that several Departments still have their typing done 300 or 400 miles outside London? The work is carried up and down the motorways by lorry. If the typing is to be done outside London, could my hon. Friend at least ensure that there are remote computer terminals?

Mr. Hayhoe

Progress is being made in introducing information technology throughout the Civil Service. My hon. Friend is an expert on such matters. He will know that such a process takes time and involves considerable cost. I believe that typing work is sent out of London only when, in the judgment of those responsible for the management of the Department, that is the most cost-effective way of doing it.