78. Dr. DAVIESasked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that the work of the Department of Overseas Trade is an integral part of the work of the Board of Trade; and can he therefore arrange for the Department of Overseas Trade to be housed in the premises adjoining the Board of Trade now occupied by the staff of the Office of Works, and transfer the staff of the Office of Works either to 35, Old Queen Street or Cornwall House or Sanctuary Buildings, Westminster?
§ Mr. LANSBURYIn regard to the first part of the question, the Department of Overseas Trade is a joint department under the Board of Trade and the Foreign Office. This Department is suitably and conveniently housed in the present offices at 35, Old Queen Street, and I see no reason for adopting the suggestion made in the second part of the question. It would in any event be quite impossible to do so as the staff of the Office of Works is about four times that of the Department of Overseas Trade.