§ 28. Mr. J. Howardasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the future of the Ordnance Survey offices at present located at Southampton.
§ 29. Dr. Kingasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the future of the Ordnance Survey offices at present located in Southampton.
§ Mr. NugentAfter re-examining, in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for War and the Financial Secretary, the strategic case for moving the Ordnance Survey to Wellingborough, it has been decided that it does not outweigh the advantages of retaining the traditional location at Southampton. The move to Wellingborough will, therefore, not take place.
§ Mr. HowardWhile thanking my hon. Friend for speedily countermanding this move when circumstances warranted it, may I ask whether he can now say whether the department at Chessington will be moved to Southampton?
§ Mr. NugentI am afraid I am not able to give any definite information about the department at Chessington.
§ Dr. KingWhilst sincerely thanking the Parliamentary Secretary on behalf of the staff concerned and the citizens of Southampton for this change of policy, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the hon. Member for Itchen (Dr. King) has been, by Question and debate in the House, advocating this change of policy upon successive Governments for the past six years, and that being so, would it not have been in accordance with Parliamentary courtesy if the Minister had informed either the hon. Member or the House in order that the hon. Member might have been one of the first to know, instead of having to get the information from the local Press and being one of the last people to know that the Government had adopted the policy he has been advocating?
§ Mr. NugentI am not aware of any discourtesy in the matter. I wrote to four or five Members of Parliament who, I thought, were interested in this matter. If I overlooked anyone, I apologise.