HC Deb 17 July 1998 vol 316 cc357-8W
Mr. Chidgey

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the current staff who exceed the proposed requirements of Companies House, following its relocation, will be re-employed within her Department. [49972]

Mr. Ian McCartney

Staff in Companies House can and will continue to be able to apply for posts in the Department of Trade and Industry, and will be considered for appointment if they are suitably qualified.

Mr. Chidgey

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she has taken to ensure that the relocation and rationalisation of Companies House in 1999 will not result in a reduced level of service. [49966]

Mr. Ian McCartney

The move of the Companies House London office to new premises at the end of 1998 will coincide with the introduction of new facilities for the on-line electronic delivery of information. The existing premium and standard microfiche service will continue to be provided until the current office closes in Autumn 1999. Alternative arrangements for those customers who continue to want to use microfiche will then be available from the Cardiff office, although it will not be possible to provide the current speed of service. I am confident, however, that the new facilities, offering a combination of traditional microfiche and newer electronic services, will lead to an improved service overall for customers.

Mr. Chidgey

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the current staff are expected still to be employed within Companies House(a) immediately, (b) six months and (c) a year after the relocation. [49970]

Mr. Ian McCartney

There will be no change now, or in six months' time, in the numbers of staff employed in Companies House, London as a result of the initial relocation of the office. The numbers are expected to have fallen by about 75 per cent. one year after relocation.

Mr. Chidgey

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff will be made redundant or encouraged to take early retirement when the City Road premises of Companies House are closed. [49971]

Mr. Ian McCartney

Companies House will endeavour to help those staff not required at its new office to secure employment elsewhere, whether within the Civil Service or outside. It is not possible now to say how many staff will be found new jobs or how many will prefer to take early retirement or how many might be made redundant. One third of current staff in London are employed on a fixed terms or casual basis in anticipation of the change in the numbers required.