§ 42. Viscount EDNAMasked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is proposed to move the directorate of research from London to Farnborough; what is the total number of personnel involved; whether the difficulties of housing the present royal aircraft establishment staff at Farnborough have already been made more acute by the transfer of the staff from Biggin Hill; whether suitable arrangements for providing adequate housing will be made before such transfer is effected: whether he will guarantee that reasonable notice is given to the staff concerned before such move is made: and that no member of the staff be requested to move without at least six months' notice, in order that the hardship and inconvenience inevitable to those having houses or flats in London may be reduced as far as possible?
The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Captain Guest)The answer to the first and second questions is that it is proposed, for purposes of economy, subject to Treasury approval, to transfer some of the work of the Directorate of Research from London to Farnborough, but the extent of the transfer has not yet been settled, and consequently I cannot, at present, state the number of personnel concerned. To the third, that there is no difficulty in regard to unmarried staff, for whom quarters are provided, and there is still room in these quarters for an increase of scientific staff. On the other hand, no married quarters are provided, and the construction of married quarters for civilian staff is not considered practicable. To the fifth and sixth questions, that the staff generally have been aware of these proposals for some months, and when the proposals are approved those who are to be transferred will be given as much notice as possible.