§ Mr. HindTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any plans to relocate any executive agencies or parts of Government Departments in the north-west of England; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RyderUnder the policy announced by my right hon. Friend, the then Paymaster General on 31 March 1988, all Government Departments, including executive 207W agencies, are required to review the location of their work in accordance with clear guidelines, with a view to finding locations offering easier labour markets, value for money and increased operational efficiency. It is for departmental Ministers to announce their own decisions on significant relocations on completion of the essential processes of assessment and consultation. So far this year, decisions have been taken to relocate around 775 Department of Employment posts to Runcorn; 260 Department of Social Security posts to Wigan; 250 Office of Population Censuses and Surveys posts to Southport; 200 Customs and Excise posts to Liverpool and around 80 Inland Revenue posts to Bootle.