§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will make a statement on the dispersal of Government offices, new job opportunities created in the development areas from the establishment of Government offices, and on what advice he has given to improve dispersal within the regions.
§ Mr. Kenneth BakerI have been asked to reply. Since May, 1963, 29,400 Civil Service jobs have been established away from London as a result of dispersal and new office policies, and nearly 19,000 are planned to be established away from London over the next few years. Of these, 14,400 have been established in assisted areas and 16,640 are planned to be. Locations in the regions are being considered during the current review on the scope for further dispersal of Government work from London.