Since I announced the Government's intention to proceed with a new programme of decentralisation, considerable progress has been made in putting that programme together. I have, on a number of recent occasions, said that no decisions would be made in advance of the forthcoming general election. From the outset I have made the point that from the time a decision was taken and an announcement made it would be some two to three years before civil servants would begin to relocate given the need to acquire suitable accommodation as well as the time needed to select and train the staff involved. I am satisfied that, given the work done over the past two years, the new administration will be able to move quickly after the election to take a decision in relation to a new programme of decentralisation.