§ 52. Mr. Carsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give any approximate date when the Estate Duty Office Branch of the Civil Service, now at Llandrindod Wells, will return to London.
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir. I am afraid that the shortage of accommodation in London 224 makes this impossible. This office is at Llandudno, not at Llandrindod Wells.
§ Mr. CarsonWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his correction, may I ask whether, in view of the great anxiety felt about' the families of these men, the Chancellor cannot give an approximate month, or even year, which would help them to have something to which to look forward?
§ Mr. DaltonI have great sympathy with these and many other civil servants who have had to work in the provinces owing to war conditions, but it really is not practicable at the moment to name a date. It would only be raising false hopes and expectations to do so, but I am very sympathetic towards the persons concerned, and as soon as possible we will make suitable arrangements for them.
Lieut.-Colonel DowerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the delay which is taking place in many cases makes it extremely difficult for solicitors, owing to the long distances which documents have to travel?
§ Mr. DaltonI do not know that solicitors suffer worse than other people.
§ 60. Mr. Carsonasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that many boarding houses at Llandudno are closing over Christmas, thereby forcing many civil servants to sleep at their offices; and will he take steps to try and avert this.
Mr. HallI am not aware that many boarding houses will close over Christmas and that, as a consequence, civil servants will have to sleep in their offices.