HC Deb 01 April 1947 vol 435 cc1825-6
31 and 32. Mr. Willis

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) the reason for dispersing Army Records, Edinburgh;

(2) what arrangements he proposes to make to accommodate those wishing to accompany Army Pay and Records from Edinburgh to their new locations.

Mr. Bellenger

This decision was taken in the interests of efficient administration and on financial grounds. While my Department cannot accept any responsibility for the provision of living accommodation for employees who move with an establishment it does what it can to help and for this purpose arrangements are made in such cases to send a reconnaissance party of employees well in advance of the move to make a list of accommodation available and for this list to be circulated to employees who wish to move with the establishment.

Mr. Willis

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this decision has caused a great deal of concern in Edinburgh, and that it will seriously aggravate the already serious unemployment problem? Is he further aware that unless he takes some steps to provide, or to assist in the provision of, accommodation at other centres, the offer he makes for the staff to accompany the records is sheer humbug, in view of the present shortage of accommodation? Will he consider the retention of the General Service Records Department in Edinburgh?

Mr. Speaker

Supplementary questions are becoming speeches.

Mr. Bellenger

I have every sympathy with my hon. Friend and his constituents, but I am being pressed to economise in manpower in the Army, and I cannot maintain what are mainly redundant records and pay offices.

Mr. Willis

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that there is far more unemployment in Scotland than in England? Surely it is not economic to take work where there is no labour, from a place where the labour is available?

Mr. Bellenger

I can assure the House that these moves of pay offices and record offices are to concentrate our manpower in the most economical fashion, and it will result eventually in a saving of manpower. I think that is what the House wants me to do.