HC Deb 05 April 1960 vol 621 c190
39. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Works how many offices of the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance are below the standard observed by his Department; how many civil servants work in these sub-standard offices; and how many of these offices will be rebuilt or considerably improved by the end of 1960.

Lord John Hope

None, judged by the standards for office buildings recommended by the Gowers Committee. Some of these offices, however, are unsatisfactory for their present use for a variety of reasons, such as wrong location, and I am making improvements wherever possible.

Mr. Boyden

Is the Minister not aware that there is a "black list" of about fourteen of these offices and a further black list of eight which remain to be inspected by officers of his Department? Does he consider these facts to be in line with his Reply to me of 8th March that there are likely to be a few which are below standard … The number of staff affected would be very small."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 8th March, 1960; Vol. 619, c. 30.] Does he consider that twenty or so offices is a small number?

Lord John Hope

In relation to the whole over the country, yes.