HC Deb 12 March 1963 vol 673 cc1162-3
27. Mr. Lipton

asked the Postmaster-General why he is negotiating to rent more office accommodation in High Holborn; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Bevins

I am negotiating a lease of 100–110, High Holborn. I have bad to increase my headquarters staff to cope with new work, for example in the field of satellite communications and broadcasting services, and I need more office space preferably close to the Departmental Headquarters.

Mr. Lipton

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that the Treasury two or three weeks ago appointed a sub-committee to consider the dispersal of Government offices from central London? Is it not, therefore, inexcusable that the right hon. Gentleman should take, almost next door to State House—on which the Government are spending £6,000 a week in rent—another huge office where civil servants can do work which can be done just as well outside central London? Do satellites have to be in central London?

Mr. Bevins

It is not inexcusable at all. We have been into the economic and financial aspects of the move with great care. This is a move of executive staffs who are required to be near the G.P.O. headquarters. In terms of transport savings and labour saving, I am convinced that it is the right move. The Post Office has taken the initiative in the dispersal of staffs from London. We have two other moves in hand—one of 1,600 people of the Accountant-General's Department to Chesterfield and 2,000 people of the Savings Certificate Division to Durham.

Sir G. Nabarro

As severe restrictions are to be put on private firms as a result of the new measures of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, is my right hon. Friend aware that Government Departments themselves must set a high example and "decant" themselves out of London? Is he further aware that the Post Office would get into a great deal of trouble if it sought to make itself an exception to the rule?

Mr. Bevins

I wholly agree with my hon. Friend, and I have indicated that we hope to move between 3,000 and 4,000 Post Office staff, at present working in London, during the next few years. But the people at the new offices in High Holborn simply have to be close to headquarters because of the nature of their work.

Mr. Farey-Jones

Does my right hon. Friend's original reply indicate that the Post Office is actively engaged with a British communications satellite?

Mr. Bevins

The Post Office has been actively engaged on the examination of a satellite communications system for two years, and I am sure that it will continue to play a major part in the possibilities of such a system.

Sir W. Teeling

Is there any reason why, if he is moving people out of London, my right hon. Friend should not send them to areas such as Brighton and Hove, where they can get quickly by train and where there is considerable unemployment?

Mr. Speaker

Order. We cannot go all round the possible places on this Question.