§ 7. Mr. Moonmanasked the Minister for the Civil Service what progress has been made on the accommodation for the Civil Service College recommended in the Fulton Report.
§ Mrs. HartAs hon. Members will be aware, the Civil Service College will take over non-residential accommodation in London and the residential centre at Sunningdale Park at present used for central civil service training. We have now decided that the third centre needed by the College will be in Edinburgh, and it is hoped that accommodation in Atholl Crescent and some nearby property will be available for use by Autumn 1970, when the College is to be set up.
§ Mr. MoonmanI am sure that this will prove to be an ideal centre and that the distance from Whitehall will be no real handicap, as others have found in travelling to different parts of the world. How will research be carried out, be- 1208 cause my right hon. Friend will recognise that it is an important part of any management training establishment? Will she maintain contacts through the centre with industry and government?
§ Mrs. HartOne very good reason for selecting Edinburgh was that, apart from its being the centre of the Civil Service in Scotland and its good communications, it also is an area where there are immense technical college and university facilities. Although the links have not been worked out in any detail yet, one would certainly hope that full use can be made of these facilities.
§ Mr. RankinIs my right hon. Friend aware that her recognition of Edinburgh in this respect will be warmly welcomed in Scotland?