HL Deb 03 December 1991 vol 533 cc8-10WA
Viscount Devonport

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to continue their policy of relocating central Government departments to the more remote regions; and, if so, which departments do they next expect to relocate and what numbers of civil servants will be involved over what period.

The Minister of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)

The Government's relocation policy places on individual departments the responsibility to review the location of their work with a view to finding sites offering easier labour markets, value for money and increased operational efficiency. Where appropriate, areas that are the focus of the Government's regional and urban policies are considered. The Government intends to continue this policy. My right honourable friend the Minister of State to the Treasury hopes to report to the other place very shortly on the progress departments had made on relocation by the end of June 1991.

The following table lists, with likely timings, the plans which departments have announced for relocation or location away from the South-East which have still to be implemented.

Department and dispersal location Number of posts Likely timing
Inland Revenue
Middlesbrough 185 1991–92
Sunderland 190 1991–92
Barnsley 170 1992
Birkenhead 170 1992
Dundee 160 1992
Falkirk 160 1992
Hull 180 1992
Leicester 160 1992
St. Austell 160 1992
Swansea 165 1992
Wrexham 180 1992
Nottingham 1,600 1992–95
Washington 60 1992–93
3,540
Social Security
Leeds 662 1992–93
Belfast 500 1993
Birkenhead 500 1993
Dudley 500 1993
Falkirk 500 1993
Plymouth 500 1993
3,162
Defence
Bristol 3,000 1995–96
Home Office
Ruddington 120 1992
Birmingham 12 1992–93
Derby 1,700 1993
1,832

Department and dispersal location Number of posts Likely timing
Customs and Excise
Liverpool 1,290 1990–95
Employment Group
Runcorn 613 1990–93
Sheffield 635 1990–93
Aberdeen 112 1992
Bootle 61 1992
1,421

Department and dispersal location Number of posts Likely timing
Health
Leeds 1,200 1992–93
Land Registry
Birkenhead 110 1992
York 110 1992–94
220
15,665