64. Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is still the intention of the Government to proceed with the evacuation of Departments to remote places from London; and whether, in view of the present circum stances at home, these changes can be delayed so as to prevent much disturbance, distress, and financial worry to civil servants?
The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Crooks hank)No change is contemplated in the plans for the possible evacuation of Government Departments, but the programme for immediate evacuation is approaching completion. There remains the move of a substantial number of the staff of one Department as soon as certain arrangements for their accommodation are completed, and there may be one other move of some magnitude. There is also likely to be a move of small numbers of staff belonging to two or three Departments which have already evacuated a section of their staff and which require the additional numbers to complete the arrangements already made. The whole question is kept under constant review in the light of circumstances.