§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of typing originating in London was sent outside London in, respectively, 1976 and January to March 1977; where such typing was sent during these periods; what is the 497W average time taken, at the latest available date, between the original dictation of a letter sent outside London for typing and its return to London for signature; how such letters are sent to and from London; and how many typists are employed in London, and outside London, respectively, in the places to which typing is sent.
§ Dr. GilbertIt would require a disproportionate amount of time and effort to establish what proportion of all typing work originating with personnel in central London was sent elewhere for typing in 1976 and in the period from January to March 1977. The time taken between the original dictation of a non-urgent letter sent outside Central London for typing and its return to London for signature averages about two and a half working days. Material for typing is sent outside Central London by departmental van service or through the post.
About 470 typists are employed in typing pools in Central London and 140 in the following locations to which work is sent:
Outer London: Chessington, Hayes, Mottingham, Pinner, Sidcup, Wandsworth, Woolwich, Waltham Cross.
Elsewhere: Brighton, Chatham, Latimer (Bucks), Portsmouth.