UNITED KINGDOM HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE IN TAUNTON

That this House believes that the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) should remain located in Taunton; recognises the international reputation for excellence enjoyed by the UKHO; understands the contribution that the 1,000 employees of the UKHO make to the economy of Taunton and realises how damaging it would be to Taunton if the service was relocated to Exeter; also understands the affection and pride felt by the people of Taunton towards the Hydrographic Office; and particularly stresses how politically and economically perverse it would be to remove 1,000 public sector jobs from Taunton when the town has been designated as a principal urban area, which will increase the population of Taunton and is intended to encourage greater job creation and financial investment.