§ Mr. CranTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many divisions within his Department have been relocated out of London since 1979; what plans he has for further relocation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleySome 20,000 of the 32,000 staff in my Department, including PSA are already located outside London. Approximately 60 posts in the Crown Suppliers were moved from central London to Bootle in 1982. Some 70 posts comprising the Department's eastern regional office are to move from London to Bedford later this year. I am actively looking for other areas of work where relocation would be cost-effective and seek to ensure that, where practicable, appropriate work is carried out in the Department's regional offices.