§ 25. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Home Secretary whether he will submit particulars to the House of the new scheme for the reorganisation of the Factory Department of the Home Office; what would be the actual addition to the staff of the Department were the scheme to be put fully into operation; how many of the proposed new posts is it proposed temporarily to leave vacant; will it be necessary to obtain additional office accommodation in connection with the proposed decentralisation; and, if so, at what estimated cost?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)I shall be happy to give the House any information on the subject which it desires. A full summary of the scheme was issued to the Press last August, and I will send the hon. Member a copy. The addition to the total authorised staff, if the whole scheme were carried out, would be one inspector; but there is a number of vacancies which have not been filled up, and it is now proposed to leave 24 posts temporarily vacant. Additional office accommodation will be wanted for some only of the new districts, and the arrangement for providing this accommodation, which will usually consist only of a single room, are now under 1969 consideration. I am not in a position at present to say what the actual cost will be. In some cases it is hoped to provide the accommodation in existing Government buildings.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill this scheme really be an economy? Will there be only one additional inspector, and are there 24 vacancies to be left?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe vacancies will be left temporarily, but to make the scheme efficient they will eventually have to be filled up.
§ Sir W. DAVISONThey will not be filled up immediately?
§ Mr. SHORTTNot immediately.