§ Mr. DoranTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what is the number of employees to be taken on by the Department of Social Security in Glasgow, Wigan and Belfast as a result of the dispersal of jobs presently located in London which was announced on 16 January;
(2) how many of the posts created by the dispersal announced on 16 January he expects to be filled (i) by transfer of existing staff from local Department of Social Security offices in the areas involved, (ii) by transfer for existing staff from London, and (iii) by hiring of new staff;
(3) what is the planned reduction in staff numbers in the Department of Social Security local offices in those areas gaining new posts as a result of the dispersal announced on 16 January.
§ Mr. Peter LloydAs a direct result of the movement of work from 21 London offices announced on 16 January, we shall be creating around 450 jobs in Glasgow, 350 in Belfast and 260 in Wigan. Detailed recruitment plans will be a matter for the manager of each social security centre (SSC), but staff who wish to move from London or from local offices in the area of the SSC will have the opportunity to do so. We shall not be able to estimate the numbers involved until we have sought the views of staff affected. Current calculations show that, over the year 1989–90, there will be staff savings of about 310 for offices within daily travelling distance of the Glasgow SSC and about 280 for Wigan. Staff savings in the Northern Ireland Civil Service, are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.