HC Deb 17 December 1984 vol 70 c16
41. Mr Dormand

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what are the number of Civil Service posts transferred to the northern region since May 1979.

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

As I last told the hon. Gentleman on 20 November, the dispersal programme announced on 26 July 1979 did not include any transfer of posts to the northern region. Details of posts that may have been transferred by Departments for management reasons are not held centrally.

Mr. Dormand

Is the Minister aware that people in the north are sick and tired of seeing the Government shed crocodile tears over unemployment in the region? Here is a matter on which the Government can take direct action, and in nearly six years they have done absolutely nothing. The Government have actually transferred Civil Service jobs from the northern region to other parts of the country. In view of what the Minister said today, can we ever expect a change of policy in this matter?

Mr. Hayhoe

The dispersal programme, which was announced on 26 July, is being followed through. I can hold out no hope to the hon. Gentleman that a new dispersal policy will be brought before the House.