The Government have a policy of seeking to relocate government offices and agencies outside London wherever possible. We are keen to work with Scottish local authorities, as well as local authorities from all around the United Kingdom, to secure that objective.

The Government have a policy of seeking to relocate government offices and agencies outside London wherever possible. We are keen to work with Scottish local authorities, as well as local authorities from all around the United Kingdom, to secure that objective.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is seeking the broadest possible range of views and evidence to inform the Government’s assessment of the location of Channel 4. I am sure that my hon. Friend will continue to be a formidable and persuasive advocate...

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is seeking the broadest possible range of views and evidence to inform the Government’s assessment of the location of Channel 4. I am sure that my hon. Friend will continue to be a formidable and persuasive advocate...

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on the cost of the European Parliament having a base in both Strasbourg and Brussels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department holds on the cost of the European Parliament having a base in both Strasbourg and Brussels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to bring about reform of the two seat operation of the European Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to bring about reform of the two seat operation of the European Parliament.

What assessment he has made of the recent decision by the European Parliament to meet in a single location.

What assessment he has made of the recent decision by the European Parliament to meet in a single location.

What assessment he has made of the recent decision by the European Parliament to meet in a single location.

What assessment he has made of the recent decision by the European Parliament to meet in a single location.

We have been clear that there should be a single seat for the European Parliament. The current arrangements are indefensible, ludicrously expensive, impractical and one of the most striking illustrations of EU waste.

We have been clear that there should be a single seat for the European Parliament. The current arrangements are indefensible, ludicrously expensive, impractical and one of the most striking illustrations of EU waste.

I am afraid that I am not surprised, because that party’s representatives are often absent in key votes in the European Parliament when significant British interests are at stake. I congratulate those Members

of the European Parliament, from all political families, who supported the initiative that our colleague, Ashley Fox, led and co-ordinated.

I am afraid that I am not surprised, because that party’s representatives are often absent in key votes in the European Parliament when significant British interests are at stake. I congratulate those Members

of the European Parliament, from all political families, who supported the initiative that our colleague, Ashley Fox, led and co-ordinated.

What was striking about the debate and the vote a few days ago was that the clearly expressed will of a decisive majority of Members of the European Parliament was that there should be a single seat, and it seems to me that their voice should be heard clearly. The Parliament has also said that it wishes to initiate proposals for treaty change at a future opportunity to try to give effect to the change it is now recommending.

What was striking about the debate and the vote a few days ago was that the clearly expressed will of a decisive majority of Members of the European Parliament was that there should be a single seat, and it seems to me that their voice should be heard clearly. The Parliament has also said that it wishes to initiate proposals for treaty change at a future opportunity to try to give effect to the change it is now recommending.

I am happy to repeat those commendations. Of course, there is not only financial waste; an unnecessary amount of carbon is emitted as the Members, their staff and the accompanying luggage are transported from one place to another.

I am happy to repeat those commendations. Of course, there is not only financial waste; an unnecessary amount of carbon is emitted as the Members, their staff and the accompanying luggage are transported from one place to another.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on ending the two seat operation of the European Parliament.

[127722]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on ending the two seat operation of the European Parliament.

[127722]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on support for attempts to petition the EU over stopping sittings of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

[122836]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on support for attempts to petition the EU over stopping sittings of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

[122836]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish each item of documentation prepared by his Department in respect of the Government's role in securing the location of the (a) European Medicines Agency in London, (b) European Police College in Bramshill and (c) European...

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish each item of documentation prepared by his Department in respect of the Government's role in securing the location of the (a) European Medicines Agency in London, (b) European Police College in Bramshill and (c) European...

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to promote Scotland as a location for EU agencies and decentralised bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to promote Scotland as a location for EU agencies and decentralised bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 13 July 2011, Official Report, column 382W, on GCHQ: location, if he will give a breakdown of the £308 million costs of technical transition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 13 July 2011, Official Report, column 382W, on GCHQ: location, if he will give a breakdown of the £308 million costs of technical transition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the coalition agreement, section 13, point 7, what representations he has made at the Council of Ministers to press for the European Parliament to sit only in Brussels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the coalition agreement, section 13, point 7, what representations he has made at the Council of Ministers to press for the European Parliament to sit only in Brussels.

The Minister is letting election fever get the better of him. Our position is that we are strongly inclined in favour of a judge-led inquiry, but we know that, first, there are possible legal proceedings that would affect, or probably affect, the timing of any such inquiry; and secondly, if...

The Minister is letting election fever get the better of him. Our position is that we are strongly inclined in favour of a judge-led inquiry, but we know that, first, there are possible legal proceedings that would affect, or probably affect, the timing of any such inquiry; and secondly, if...

The Minister says the doyen, but I suppose he is more continentally minded than I am. Above all, I pay tribute to the ISC's Chairman, the right hon. Member for Pontypridd (Dr. Howells). Listening to the tributes during today's debate, he must have at times feared that he was in...

The Minister says the doyen, but I suppose he is more continentally minded than I am. Above all, I pay tribute to the ISC's Chairman, the right hon. Member for Pontypridd (Dr. Howells). Listening to the tributes during today's debate, he must have at times feared that he was in...

I add my salute to members of the Intelligence and Security Committee and, in particular, to the four members who have announced that they intend to leave the House at the forthcoming general election: the hon. Member for Wirral, South (Ben Chapman); my right hon. and learned Friend the Member...

I add my salute to members of the Intelligence and Security Committee and, in particular, to the four members who have announced that they intend to leave the House at the forthcoming general election: the hon. Member for Wirral, South (Ben Chapman); my right hon. and learned Friend the Member...

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether it is the policy of the Government that government departments should (a) maintain and (b) increase the number of staff posts located in the four growth zones identified by her Department in its sustainable communities plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether it is the policy of the Government that government departments should (a) maintain and (b) increase the number of staff posts located in the four growth zones identified by her Department in its sustainable communities plan.