§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy that no Department of Transport members of staff will be transferred to the new headquarters of the Highways Agency in St. Christopher house until all relevant EC directives/ regulations and United Kingdom safety law/rules have been fully complied with; and if he will make it his policy that full and open consultation will take place between his Department's officials and the appropriate trade unions.
§ Mr. NorrisEstablishing the Highways Agency's headquarters in St. Christopher house will enable the agency to develop its own corporate identity and sense of purpose as soon as possible. It is my firm policy, and one to which the chief executive is equally committed, that the offices there should comply with all relevant health and safety requirements. Staff have already been consulted about their individual needs in St. Christopher house, and my officials have had a number of open and productive discussions with trade union representatives. Further discussions are planned.