§ Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of civil service and public sector jobs presently located in London and the South East that will be relocated to(a) Bridgwater and (b) the South West following the report by Sir Michael Lyons, Well Placed to Deliver? Shaping the Pattern of Government Service, and the 2004 Spending Review. [186548]
§ Mr. BoatengIn line, with Sir Michael Lyons' recommendations contained in his report published in March this year and endorsed in the 2004 Spending Review, it will be for departments and public bodies themselves to determine the destination of relocated activities from London and the South East. Departments' decisions will be based on their own business needs and priorities, taking account of the requirement to improve public services, secure greater efficiencies and value for money for the taxpayer as well as of local economic conditions. Departments will also take into account forthcoming locational guidance that will be issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
In the course of the Lyons and 2004 Spending Reviews, some departments, including the Chancellor's departmen#s and the Department for Work and Pensions, have identified the South West as a possible destination for public sector activity. As you know, the 1190W South West has already benefited recently following the significant relocation of the Meteorological Office from the South East to Exeter.