HC Deb 11 March 1968 vol 760 cc964-5
43. Mr. Urwin

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works what proposals he has for introducing open-plan offices for the Civil Service, following the recently announced experiments.

Mr. Mellish

I am considering the inclusion of some open-plan offices in the new buildings which are to be put on the Bridge Street-Richmond Terrace site as the first phase of the Whitehall redevelopment scheme.

Mr. Urwin

In this exciting departure from the point of view of office planning, has my right hon. Friend obtained the reaction of the Civil Service towards this venture and, if so, what has it been?

Mr. Mellish

The exciting prospect of open-plan offices is that even the most junior clerk can enjoy the same high standards of dimensions and conditions as the highest civil servant. Everybody can, therefore, enjoy the highest standards of office accommodation. It is encouraging to think that, for the first time, one is not able to distinguish between civil servants by the office accommodation provided.

The Speaker

Mr. Hugh Jenkins, Question 44.

Mr. Ridsdale

On a point of order. The Minister said earlier that he intended to answer during Question Time a Question on Stonehenge.

Mr. Speaker

That is not a point of order.

Mr. Mellish

I did give an assurance that I would answer a Question about Stonehenge. The trouble is that the hon. Member in whose name the Question stands has not been present to ask it.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

On a point of order. The Minister did say that he would answer this Question—

Mr. Speaker

Order. This is Question Time. We must get on.