HC Deb 14 March 1962 vol 655 cc1290-1
2. Mr. M. Stewart

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty why he proposes to transfer the place of work of 400 Admiralty employees from Pinner to Earls Court.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

The staff are in the Navy Works Department in temporary buildings at Pinner. We are concentrating in the main building in Whitehall and Earls Court staff previously working in Whitehall, Queen Anne's Mansions, Rex House and at Pinner. This concentration will increase efficiency, and is I think, in accordance with the spirit of the recommendations of the Select Committee which looked into the Admiralty Headquarters Organisation in 1960.

Mr. Stewart

Is it in accord with the policy declared by the Minister of Housing—that office staff should wherever possible be moved out of central London; and is there any consultation between the hon. Member and the Minister of Housing before a decision of this kind is taken?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

In this instance the Ministry of Works owned the building at Earls Court. I understand that there is consultation between the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Housing about these matters before a movement of this sort is made.