§ 61. Mr. SMITHERSasked the First Commissioner of Works whether, before putting forward his proposals for the erection of new Government offices in Whitehall at the approximate cost of £2,000,000, he gave full consideration to the possible alternative of extending the 1153 Government offices at Acton at considerably less expense; and on what grounds it was decided to sacrifice the economy involved by adopting such alternative?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. Lansbury)The extension of the Government offices at Acton would not fulfil the requirements which the new building is designed to meet, as it is essential that the staffs for whom the accommodation is being provided should be housed in the Whitehall area.
§ Captain WATERHOUSEWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of approaching the Prime Minister to see whether he cannot do away with the staffs instead of erecting buildings in which to house them?