HC Deb 18 March 1959 vol 602 cc382-3
17 Mr. Coldrick

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) what savings he expects to make by transferring the Air Ministry Works Area Office from Bristol to Exeter; and how much of the saving will be due to the down-grading of salaries and wages;

(2) if he is aware of the difficulties he is creating for the children of the staff of the Air Ministry Works Area Office in Bristol by enforcing their removal from educational establishments in Bristol consequent upon his decision to move the department to Exeter; and if he will make a statement;

(3) if he is aware that the transfer of the Air Ministry Works Area Office from Bristol to Exeter is likely to cause serious hardships to employees who will have to find new housing accommodation; and what help he is giving to solve their problems.

Mr. Neave

The amalgamation of the existing Works Area headquarters at Bristol and Launceston into one office at Exeter is expected to save about £30,000 a year. The fact that provincial rates of pay are at present in force in Exeter, although not in Bristol, accounts for about £700 a year.

I recognise the personal problems which a move of this kind may create and we shall do what we can to help. Housing has been discussed with the Exeter City Council and additional houses and flats are being built. We hope that the first of these will be ready by the autumn.

Mr. Coldrick

I am glad that the Ministry is giving some consideration to the hardships which will be imposed educationally and from the point of view of housing accommodation, but is the hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of people with expert knowledge in Bristol would dispute the projected savings? Does not he think it really mean on the part of the Ministry when enforcing these removals to reduce the salaries of many of these men by as much as £20 per annum?

Mr. Neave

Of course, many difficulties of this kind inevitably arise in a period of reorganisation, as the hon. Member will understand. There are so many problems which arise out of this particular case that perhaps he would like to discuss it with me further. I am certainly very sympathetic towards what he has said.