Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 9 May (HL15423), whether the Ministry of Defence has consulted Blackpool Council about the potential to locate jobs elsewhere on the Fylde Coast; and whether the decision to relocate the jobs from Norcross is in line with the guidance from the Government Property Unit.

The Department is in the process of finalising its preferred course of action, and no final decision has yet been made on the future location of Defence Business Services (DBS) sites in the north-west. As part of the approval process, and before a final decision is made, a full investment appraisal process will be conducted, incorporating full consultation with Local Authorities, including Blackpool Council, and other Government Departments such as the Government Property Agency.