HC Deb 05 December 1955 vol 547 cc17-8
26. Dr. King

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the facts given in their second application to him, he will reconsider his decision not to receive a deputation by Members of the Institution of Professional Civil Servants on the proposed transfer of Ordnance Survey from Southampton and Chessington to Wellingborough.

Mr. Amory

In view of the extent to which strategic considerations underlie the decision to transfer the Department, I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by my seeing a deputation of the staff. In explaining this, I have assured their representatives that I will keep them well informed of our plans as they develop and do all I can to reduce inconvenience and prevent hardship.

Dr. King

Is the Minister aware that this very loyal staff is very much dissatisfied with his strategical argument? Will he do what every good employer does in this modern age, and that is at least take the staff into his confidence and hear its views as well as the views of his military advisers?

Mr. Amory

I could not agree with the hon. Gentleman more about the advisability, whenever possible, of explaining to staff the reasons for a move, but in this case I have done that very thoroughly in several letters which I myself have sent to the staff. I have asked if they had any fresh information to give me, and, if so, to put it forward. However, when it comes to the strategical argument, I do not think there is room for anything useful to be drawn from a talk between us.