§ 38. Mr. Turtonasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the present need for the expansion of the Army, he will reconsider his decision to reduce the number of Infantry Record Offices and to move the Infantry and General Service Corps Records Office from York to Preston.
§ Mr. StracheyThe grouping of Infantry Record Offices will not adversely affect the capacity for expansion of the Infantry Brigade Groups. The move of the Infantry and General Service Corps Records Office from York is particularly desirable since this office at present occupies accommodation on a requisitioned airfield far below the standard required, and no security of tenure can be guaranteed.
§ Mr. TurtonArising out of that reply, is the Minister aware that the Old Record 1055 House is still available in York, although occupied by another branch of his Department, and that these men are busily engaged at the present moment in the call-up of the Z Reservists, and will he therefore delay the operation of this decision during this period?
§ Mr. StracheyThe centralisation of these offices is important. It is part of the measures we are always trying to take to keep the tail down in proportion to the teeth arms, and we must be able to centralise these offices. As a matter of fact, this move is not imminent.
§ Colonel RopnerIs the Minister moving this office solely because there is inadequate accommodation in York at the moment, and is that not rather a short-term consideration in a long-term programme?
§ Mr. StracheyNo, Sir, it is part of a general scheme of centralisation under which a number of offices are involved.
§ Mr. TurtonSurely, it would be much better that Lancashire should come to Yorkshire than that Yorkshire should come to Lancashire.