§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what consultations he has undertaken regarding the future of the regional office of his Department at Gabalfa, Cardiff;
(2) what is his best estimate of the (a) gross and (b) net job loss arising from the proposed reorganisation of the regional tier of administration of his Department's local office network;
(3) what proposals he has to relocate the administration and management of the regional tier of his Department, currently located at Gabalfa, Cardiff.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe restructuring of social security operations, to improve service to the public under the benefits agency, will include the replacement of the present seven regions and two central offices by larger territorial directorates. Many of the functions at present 435W carried out by regional offices are likely to be devolved to local managers, as part of their increased accountability. The detailed implications of these changes will need to be worked out in the light of a study which we have commissioned to identify the continuing need for centralised regional services, and after discussion with the chief executive. The trade union side has been kept informed about this study and about management proposals for three territorial directorates, and it will continue to be consulted about the personnel aspects of the move to the benefits agency. Meanwhile, our concern is to ensure that we continue to meet the needs of the public and of our own staff in Wales to the fullest possible extent, and we have no plans to close the offices at Gabalfa, Cardiff.