Clause 317
Marine and Coastal Access Bill [Lords]
12:00 pm
Huw Irranca-Davies (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Marine and Natural Environment), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Ogmore, Labour)
I have already put some clarity—as much as I can at the moment—on the record regarding the appointment of board members, the chief executive and the designate chairman who is now in place. I refer the hon. Gentleman back to the part of the debate where I put that on record.
On the transfer of existing Marine and Fisheries Agency staff to the MMO, we have already indicated that Tyneside will be the home of the new MMO, but we have not yet finalised the accommodation. We are still in discussion with MFA staff. In any significant relocation of that type, there is always a significant loss of headquarters staff due to family reasons and so on. I have previously made it clear that we are working very effectively with the MFA, its unions and its staff, and we will continue to do so. The chief executive post, as I previously mentioned, has already been advertised. The board members will follow on behind that. I am happy to write to the hon. Gentleman, if he would like further clarification. It is also worth saying that we are on target. The building that will be the home of the MMO will be chosen imminently, and we are still finalising the staff numbers to relocate.