§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when the final phase of building work for staff was completed in New Kings Beem house; what is the estimated cost of the work undertaken; and if he will make a statement; [1540]
(2) when the Radiocommunications Agency will be relocated to South Oxey from New Kings Beem house; and what are the proposed costs involved in relocating; [1541]
(3) if the structural survey has been completed on South Quay 3; if he will place a copy of the document in the Library; and if he will make a statement; [1542]
(4) what are the consequences to staff and business customers of the proposed reorganisation of the Radiocommunications Agency; and if he will make a statement; [1544]
(5) if adequate facilities are provided for the Radiocommunications Agency trade union side in accordance with his departmental facilities agreement. [1545]
§ Mr. Ian Taylor[holding answer 1 November 1996]: These are day-to-day operational matters for the Radiocommunications Agency and I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Jim Norton to Mr. Simon Hughes, dated 4 November 1996:
The Minister for Science and Technology has asked me to write to you in response to your Parliamentary Question, concerning the reorganisation in progress within my Agency.The purpose of the planned re-organisation within the Radiocommunications Agency is to:
- (i) enhance customer focus and service;
- (ii) give greater responsibility to managers within a 'flatter' organisation;
- (iii) ensure the Agency's limited resources are targeted to the maximum effect in facilitating a particularly dynamic area of the UK economy.
The staff of the Agency are fully involved in a consultative process ensuring the detail of the planning and implementation of the re-organisation are carried through to the best effect. The re-organisation will both improve the Agency's already good customer service and enhance the quality of work and job satisfaction for staff.Letter from Jim Norton to Mr. Simon Hughes, dated 4 November 1996:
328WQuestion: To ask the President of the Board of Trade, if adequate facilities are provided for the Radiocommunications Agency trade union side in accordance with his departmental facilities agreement.I have been asked to answer the question you raised on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency.The Radiocommunications Agency does abide by the terms of the departmental facilities agreement.Letter from Jim Norton to Mr. Simon Hughes, dated 4 November 1996:
I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency of the DTI to your recent questions relating to New King's Beam House (NKBH) and South Quay Three (SQ3).Practical Completion for the work carried out on NKBH was achieved on 5 August 1996. The cost of the work inclusive of professional fees was £2.5 million.I understand that the Landlord has completed the structural survey on SQ3 and will in due course be forwarding a copy of the report to the Agency. As it is the Landlord's document, the Agency will not be placing a copy in the library.If the repairs are carried out on schedule, the Agency should relocate hack to SQ3 in 1999. Under the terms of the lease, the Landlord warrants the performance of the building and therefore his insurance will bear the repair costs. RA's relocation costs for the return to SQ3 should be limited to the cost of furniture removal. It is too early to accurately estimate these costs.