HC Deb 03 June 1965 vol 713 cc1931-2
6. Mr. Shepherd

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what is the total floor area of the offices to be occupied by the regional economic planning boards; and what is the total number of staff it is intended to employ.

Mr. George Brown

Sixteen thousand, two hundred and eighteen sq. ft. and 77, respectively.

Mr. Shepherd

Is not this a rather large floor area? What steps does the right hon. Gentleman take to try to keep these areas and numbers within bounds?

Mr. Brown

A great number of steps; and, in fact, much of this represents the bringing together of civil servants who are now scattered over a large number of offices. This will, therefore, make for much greater efficiency.

Mr. Alan Williams

Will my right hon. Friend take it that the people of Wales—I am sure that this applies to other regions which need development—will welcome the setting up of planning machinery and that we shall happily accept the need for further offices and further staff if it means that we shall no longer have to put up with the haphazard development we had under the previous Government?

Mr. Brown

I am very grateful to my hon. Friend.