HC Deb 27 April 2004 vol 420 cc746-7
23. Hugh Bayley (City of York) (Lab)

What assessment has been made of the scope for relocating jobs in his Department and its executive agencies from London and the south-east to the northern regions of England. [168406]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs (Mr. David Lammy)

Some 13,680 officials—90 per cent. of staff—in the Department for Constitutional Affairs already work in the regions. Nearly 2,400 officials—15 per cent. of staff—work in the northern regions of England. The Department's policy is to relocate staff where it benefits our users and provides value for money for the taxpayer.

Hugh Bayley

Is my hon. Friend aware how effectively York has worked with central Government on the relocation to the city of civil servants from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Department for Work and Pensions and his Department? Indeed, there is a Crown Prosecution Service office in York. Will he ask officials in his Department to meet the York inward investment board and, perhaps, senior managers in civil service departments that have been relocated to the city to discuss York's merits as a possible location for future relocations?

Mr. Lammy

Officials in my Department are aware of the city of York's many benefits, and as and when decisions to relocate are made, we will seek to enter into such discussions. Although it is nice to live and work in the city of York, I am sure that my hon. Friend also appreciates the benefits of Tottenham.

Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York) (Con)

I am sure that any official moving to any part of the city of York will be made to feel welcome, but the relocation of immigration and nationality directorate officials to Sheffield created some difficulties. Is ministerial responsibility for officials as strong when officials are in York as it is when they are in London?

Mr. Lammy

Civil servants work well both inside and outside London. Such matters are considered carefully across Government as and when they arise.