§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what decision he has made about the future of his Department's regional office in Newcastle.
§ Mrs. ChalkerAs part of the Government's plan to reduce the number of social security regions from 12 to seven, and to reorganise work so that a better service can be provided at local level to those claiming benefits, Leeds will become the headquarters of the new Northern and Yorkshire/Humberside social security region to be formed in April on the amalgamation of the two existing regions. Birmingham will be the headquarters of the new Midlands region to be formed in July on the amalgamation of part of the East Midland region—the counties of Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire—with the existing West Midlands region.
The reduction in the number of social security regions was one of the main recommendations contained in the report of a study of the social security organisation which was carried out by a team of departmental officials. Ministers accepted the main thrust of the report which was towards greater delegation of authority from headquarters to regions and from regions to local offices.
It remains to be decided whether a presence will be needed in the long term in Newcastle or Nottingham. On the basis of present information, it seems likely that there will be a need for staff there for the foreseeable future. In 500W the case of Newcastle, the Department will continue to have a very large presence in the North-East as the Newcastle central office employs around 12,000 staff.