§ 21. Mr. Championasked the Secretary of State for War if he will reconsider his decision to move the Scales Branch of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Technical Services from Chilwell to London, having regard to the fact that this decision will further concentrate his Departments in the London area, will interfere with the close liaison between the Scales Branch and the Royal Army Ordnance Corps Stores and the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and will cause hardship to the staff who would be forced to move into an area where they will be under great difficulty in securing reasonable housing accommodation.
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Christopher Soames)The R.E.M.E. Scales Branch at Chilwell is one of four establishments which are doing related work but which are scattered in different parts of the country. For greater efficiency they should and are to be brought together.
A new organisation has therefore been formed, called R.E.M.E. Technical Services. Its exact location has not yet been decided but we are expecting to put it on the outskirts of London. There are three reasons for this. First, the majority of the staff concerned already live near London, so that domestic upheaval will be reduced to a minimum. Secondly, the Technical Services require day-to-day contact with research establishments and Government Departments in or near London. Finally, there is likely to be suitable accommodation for the unit in this area without the need for new building.
§ Mr. ChampionWhile thanking the Secretary of State for his very full and careful reply, may I ask if he has consulted the professional trade unions concerned and taken into his confidence in 429 this matter the men who will be particularly affected, because I understand that the staff is very disturbed about this aspect of the matter?
§ Mr. SoamesYes, the staff side has been consulted, beginning as long ago as 1957. I am sorry about the personal inconvenience which will be caused to these men and their families in moving South; but whereas about 100 are affected by doing it in this way, 1,000 would be affected if we did it in another way.
§ Mr. ChampionWill the right hon. Gentleman give some special consideration to the possibility of assisting these men in obtaining alternative housing accommodation?
§ Mr. SoamesThose moving to the London area to homes there will be eligible for grants to meet the extra cost of moving in respect of such things as lodging expenses, removal and storage of furniture and legal and other expenses. We shall do all we can to help them.