§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the number of civil servants in his Department who could be relocated to provincial centres as part of the policy of devolving and decentralising Government Departments.
§ Mr. NorrisAbout 85 per cent. of the Department's staff are now located outside London. Next year, we plan to relocate up to 250 posts in marine to Southampton and 200 posts in central services to Hastings. There are separate reviews under way of the future location of 525 posts in highways, safety and traffic command and the Department's headquarters accommodation needs and options. Decisions are expected to be taken later this year.