§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what savings he estimates in (a) staff, (b) running costs (c) repair costs and (d) the sale or lease of buildings from the closure of 21 national reassessment centres.
§ Mr. Whitney[pursuant to his reply, 1 March, c. 338]: I understand that the hon. Member is referring to the closure of the Department's 23 resettlement units. As the process of consultation referred to in my hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Mr. Batiste) on 5 February at column 548–49 has not yet begun, it is not possible to give a realistic estimate of savings in any of the categories listed. The hon. Member may wish to be aware, however, that the approximate annual amount saved from the closure of reestablishment centres which will be made available to provide better resettlement facilities is £2 million.