§ Mr. CranTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. HurdSince 1979 two main units of the Home Office have been moved from London. The computing and pay services division (301 posts) was relocated to Bootle in 1982–83, and the Prison Service south-east regional office (74 posts) to Woking in 1987. The transfer of at least 50 posts from the London Passport Office to Glasgow is planned to start later in the year. For future policy I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Paymaster General's answer of 18 January to a question from the hon. Member for East Kilbride (Mr. Ingram), at columns475–76.