HC Deb 03 April 1979 vol 965 cc582-5W
Mr. Younger

asked the Minister for the Civil Service (1) if, pursuant to his answer of 17 January 1978, Official Report, he will update the table for Scotland given in column 206;

(2) if, pursuant to his answer of 17 January 1978, Official Report, column 191, he will list the numbers now employed as part of Civil Service dispersal schemes in (a) East Kilbride, (b) Cumbernauld and (c) Livingston; and if he will give the dates when dispersal is to be completed in each of these new towns.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

The updated information for Scotland showing the position at 1 October 1978 is set out below. The information covers Civil Service posts dispersed from London since May 1963—when comprehensive records were first started following the Flemming report—and planned to be dispersed, as well as new Civil Service posts established, and to be established, outside London as a result of the policy initiated in 1965 of setting up new work in the regions whenever possible. The figures include the dispersals in the Government programme announced on 30 July 1974. The numbers of posts shown in the case of completed projects are those in situ at the date of completion:

Department Location Number of posts dispersed Approximate number of posts to be dispersed Number of new posts established Approximate number of new posts to be established
Ministry of Defence Glasgow (St. Enoch) up to 4,000
Glasgow (Anderston) 1,500
Department of Energy Glasgow 121
Forestry Commission Edinburgh 145
Department of Health and Social Security Livingston 169 70
Department of Industry Glasgow 160
Inland Revenue Edinburgh 1,236 130*
Cumbernauld 323* 680*
Glasgow 202
East Kilbride 1,540*
Department for National Savings Glasgow 4,624
Ministry of Overseas Development East Kilbride 650
Glasgow 350
Department of Transport Dundee 124
Totals 6,207 up to 6,500 2,567* 750*
* The categories "New posts established" or "to be established" include where marked with an asterisk some posts which do not necessarily represent a net overall gain to Scotland but nevertheless benefit the locations shown.

The numbers of staff currently employed as part of the dispersal and new office projects, in the locations requested, are as follows:

  1. (a) East Kilbride
    • Inland Revenue, centre one; 2,260—office established in 1970.
    • Ministry of Overseas Development—650 posts—dispersal; accommodation ready for occupation in 1980–81.
  1. (b) Cumbernauld
    • Inland Revenue, accounts office "A"; 459 posts so far relocated and the remainder are due to be established by 1982.
  1. (c) Livingston
    • DHSS, benefit computer centre; 175 so far established and the remainder due to be established by 1981.