§ 52. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the overlapping and duplication of duties involved in the independent administration of real property by the Office of Works, the Commissioner of Woods, Forests, and Land Revenues, the Admiralty, and many other Departments, he will investigate the possibility of economy and greater efficiency if all real property owned by the Government were brought under the administration and control of one Ministry of Lands?
Mr. GUINNESSI am not aware of any serious overlapping or duplication of duties under existing arrangements. The question of entrusting the management of all Crown property to a single Department has been carefully considered during the last few years, but the practical objections to such a scheme are by no means negligible. The hon. Member 28 may however rest assured that no opportunity will be lost of improving the existing organisation, and the possible advantages of concentration will be kept fully in mind.