§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list all office relocations of his Department's staff since May 1979, stating in each case the location of origin and the location of transfer, together with the numbers of staff transferred.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardI regret that the information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what relocations of his Department's staff, or agencies relating thereto, are currently being considered; and what are the numbers of staff affected.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 14 November 1989 that 150 posts from the office of the chief adjudication officer in Southampton, and 650 London-based posts are to be relocated to Leeds starting in late 1991. The latter posts include those required for the headquarters of the forthcoming benefits agency, the chief medical adviser's divisions and some other administrative functions, such as liaison with agencies, pay and records, staff training and estate management.
I should emphasise that these movements are of posts rather than of staff as such. All London-based staff will be asked whether they are prepared to move whether their particular post is affected or not. The Department hopes that sufficient staff will move voluntarily to avoid the need for any compulsory transfers.