War Office Works Services Staff

HC Deb 26 June 1963 vol 679 cc1334-5

36. Mr. Boyden

asked the Secretary of State for War on what date the transfer of the War Office works services staff to the Ministry of Public Building and Works took place.

Mr. Ramsden

On 1st April, 1963.

Mr. Boyden

How does it come about that on 14th May complimentary things were being said about the works services organisation of the War Office in Estimates Committee B, while 10 months later the whole organisation was transferred to a new Department, the implications being that that organisation of the War Office was defective and needed great reorganisation? Surely the Weeks Report should be published or there are grave implications that there were defects in this works services organisation before that date?

Mr. Ramsden

I cannot accept what the hon. Member says. From the strictly Departmental point of view the previous arrangements worked extremely well and there is no sign that the present arrangements will not work equally well from the point of view of the War Office and, for all I know, the other Service Departments. The new arrangements have wider advantages in the context of national building policy, which I think are accepted.

Mr. Paget

Short of publication of the Report, may we not have a copy of it placed in the Library?

Mr. Ramsden

I will undertake to consider that, but without commitment.