HC Deb 08 June 1992 vol 209 cc26-7W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy that central London weighting will continue to apply in full to staff relocated in docklands and whether allowances will be made for longer travelling time.

Mr. Howard

I have assured staff in my Department that I am committed to securing the best terms available on transfer to docklands, but details have yet to be settled. Two of the properties under consideration—Harbour Exchange and Canary Wharf—are in any case within the inner-London weighting area.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has made of employment opportunities for local people in the east end arising from relocation of his staff to docklands.

Mr. Howard

Through the normal process of staff turnover, substantial opportunities will in due course arise for employment in my department in docklands, for which local people will be encouraged to apply. There will also be an indirect benefit to the economy of the area from the needs of 2,000 extra workers.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what response the trade unions have made to him arising from his propoals to relocate staff in docklands.

Mr. Howard

I have received no response from the trades unions to my announcement in the House on 2 June. The First Division Association had already written to me reporting a conference resolution on the matter. In addition, my officials have had a number of discussions with union representatives.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many civil servants have been taken on visits to docklands in connection with possible relocation to that area; and what hospitality was received.

Mr. Howard

[holding answer 4 June 1992]: Staff responsible for accommodation have made a number of visits to docklands in connection with possible relocation to the area. In addition, there has been one organised visit for a small number of senior staff. Hospitality received has been in accordance with the normal rules.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many civil servants in his Department he is considering for relocation from headquarter buildings; and if he will list the areas currently under consideration for relocation.

Mr. Howard

[holding answer 4 June 1992]: As I said in reply to a private notice question from the hon. Member for Dagenham (Mr. Gould) on 2 June, I have decided that some 2,000 civil servants from my Department will move to docklands, provided that we can secure fully commercial terms giving value for money to the taxpayer. The areas under consideration for relocation are Harbour Exchange, Isle of Dogs, Canary Wharf, Isle of Dogs, and East India dock, Leamouth.

Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions have taken place with the trades unions in respect of relocation of civil servants from his Department's headquarters buildings.

Mr. Howard

[holding answer 4 June 1992]: Early discussions with the departmental trade union side—DTUS—were offered immediately following the announcement by my predecessor on 6 February that the Department's headquarters building at 2 Marsham street was to be demolished, and that options for relocating staff elsewhere in London—particularly docklands—were to be examined. Following a full discussion with the DTUS on 25 March, a sub-committee of the departmental Whitley council was established to deal exclusively with relocation matters. To date, three meetings of the sub-committee have been held. The staff of the Department are also being kept informed of developments on relocation matters through a series of relocation bulletins and other briefing material.