§ Mr. John Garrettasked the Minister for the Civil Service what progress is being made in the dispersal of Her Majesty's Stationery Office staff to Norwich; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles R. Morris, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 16th December 1977; Vol. 941, c. 552], gave the following information:
Good progress is being made in the dispersal of Her Majesty's Stationery Office to Norwich.
Some transfers of staff under the dispersal programme have already been made and further moves are taking place early in the new year. Apart from some transfers which cannot be undertaken until the necessary specialist accommodation becomes available, I expect that the bulk of the moves will take place between April and August 1978. This means that by the end of 1978 the Department will be beginning to reap the benefits stemming from the operational, personnel management and financial advantages deriving from a unified headquarters in a dispersal location. At the same time opportunities in Norwich for employment in HMSO will start to increase.
The whole operation is being conducted in close consultation with the local authorities concerned. The co-operation of Norwich City Council in the provision of council housing for dispersing staff is contributing to the success of the arrangements.
I am confident that the outcome of this dispersal move will be of significant benefit both to Her Majesty's Stationery Office itself—including its staff at all levels—and to the very many interests concerned in the City of Norwich.