HC Deb 23 May 1962 vol 660 cc413-4
6. Mr. G. R. Howard

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty when the Admiralty will vacate Rex House, Lower Regent Street, and Queen Anne's Mansions, St. James's Park; how many staff will be displaced; and where they will be accommodated.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

We expect to vacate Rex House and Queen Anne's Mansions at the beginning of next year. Some 2,000 staff are involved in the transfers. About 1,000 will move to Earls Court and about 1,000 to the Admiralty Main Building in Whitehall.

Mr. Howard

I am grateful for that Answer. Is this in accordance with the Select Committee's recommendations? Would not my hon. Friend agree that it is a very good thing to get Admiralty offices out of a rather old-fashioned but available building which could be used for housing? Queen Anne's Mansions were formerly flats. Is it not a good thing to get Admiralty offices out of this sort of place and to concentrate them elsewhere?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

Yes, this is in accordance with the spirit of the Select Committee's recommendation. The total number of staff now to be moved out of the central London area as a result of these moves will be 1,700. I think that this is desirable on all scores. Certainly the new building will be more efficiently laid out than Queen Anne's Mansions.

Mr. Lipton

Are any admirals being moved?