HC Deb 25 July 1966 vol 732 cc1192-3
20. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what steps he is taking to ensure that office building for public Departments in London is not in conflict with the policy of dispersal of such accommodation to other regions.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Public Building and Works (Mr. James Boyden)

This is a regular subject of consultation between the Ministry and the departments concerned.

Mr. Hamilton

That Answer does not mean anything to me. Will my hon. Friend say how much office building is now going on for Government Departments? Is it not the case, for instance, that £100,000 is to be spent on converting the stable yard at St. James's Palace for offices for the Royal Household and does not that conflict with the Government's policy? Could they not be moved to the provinces?

Mr. Boyden

The only Government office block being built at present in the London area is the new headquarters office in Horseferry Road which is allocated to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and the Department of Education and Science.

Mr. Hamilton

What about the building which I mentioned?

Mr. Rippon

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that on this occasion I do not think his Answer meant anything to anybody—quite apart from meaning nothing to his hon. Friend. Has he studied the report which is issued today by the. Location of Offices Bureau in which the Chairman expresses grave anxiety that Government controls are going to frustrate the Conservative policies of decentralising offices in London? Has he any comment to make on that?

Mr. Boyden

I have not read the report. Government policy is still to press ahead with decentralisation. In any care, policy is not a matter for my Ministry.