§ 20. Mr. Leonardasked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the observations of the civilian employees at the Army Pay Office, Glasgow, protesting at pending dismissals consequent on the removal of record office work to England; and if he will reconsider this matter in the light of the high figure of unemployment in Glasgow.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe considerations mentioned in the letter to which my hon. Friend refers were fully taken into account 2752 before the move of the Highland Pay Office from Glasgow to Edinburgh was decided upon, and the move was arranged in consultation with the staff side of the War Office Administrative Whitley Council. The location of the Highland Pay Office in Edinburgh will result in substantial saving of building work which would otherwise have been necessary, and will also provide employment for the bulk of the clerks in the General Service Corps Pay Office, who would otherwise be redundant, as the Pay Office is closing down as a result of the disbandment of the General Service Corps.
§ Mr. LeonardIn view of the large amount of Scottish land to be occupied by Army authorities, will not the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of taking some civilian work up to Scotland instead of removing it from there?
§ Mr. ShinwellWe are running down the staffs and, as we are closing some of the offices in the Glasgow area, naturally, we must concentrate the work elsewhere.
§ Mr. CarmichaelCan the right hon. Gentleman give the percentage of redundancy associated with Glasgow as compared with other parts of the country where he is reducing staff?
§ Mr. ShinwellNot without notice.