§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for redeployment of members of his Department out of London and the south-east. [125389]
§ Mr. McNultyThe scope for relocating Government activity is being considered by Sir Michael Lyons. His independent review was announced in the Chancellor's Budget Statement on the 9 April.
607WDetails of the review, including the consultation launched on 19 June, can be found on the HM Treasury website at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk. Sir Michael will report his findings on the scope for relocating Departments and other public sector bodies before the end of the year.
The Department was formed in May 2002. Some 75 per cent. of staff from the central Department and executive agencies are located away from London and the south-east. The most recent relocation activity has involved the Highways Agency that is in the process of relocating some 300 posts away from London to their regional office network by October 2003.