HC Deb 15 December 1953 vol 522 cc201-2
57. Sir W. Darling

asked the Minister of Works the total number of licences issued by his Department for the building of new Government offices in London during the period from June, 1945, until the latest convenient date; and the total capital sum spent, or to be spent, in buying up sites and erecting new offices as at present agreed.

Sir D. Eccles

Between June, 1945, and the end of 1950, 25 headquarter buildings and 19 local offices were licensed for letting to the Government. Since 1950 one other local office has been licensed. These were all built by private developers and the total value of the licences involved was £11.3 million. No licence is required for Crown buildings. One Crown building has been completed in the Whitehall area and three others have been partly constructed. There are also a number of local offices, such as employment exchanges, and temporary office buildings on the outskirts of London. The total cost of this programme is about £18.2 million, including sites. The buildings completed have been the biggest factor in enabling nearly seven million square feet of accommodation in London to be derequisitioned.

Sir W. Darling

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in the opinion of some, this seems to be a most disproportionate expenditure and that other cities and towns are getting nothing like the same substantial licensing as is given in London?

Sir D. Eccles

This refers to Government offices. It just happens to be a fact that the majority of the Civil Service is in London.

Sir W. Darling

Has the right hon. Gentleman any plan for de-centralising the Government of the country so that London does not benefit at the expense of the rest?

Sir D. Eccles

I will look into that