HC Deb 02 December 1970 vol 807 cc1280-1
35 and 36. Mr. Sutcliffe

asked the Minister for the Civil Service (1) what is his policy for the devolution of Government Departments, in view of the difficulty in recruiting for the Civil Service at clerical class and lower executive level in the London area and the shortage of clerical jobs for school leavers in Teesside; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what preparation he is making to provide employment for Civil Service personnel in Teesside faced with transfer or redundancy when the Investment Grants Office is disbanded next year.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Civil Service Department (Mr. David Howell)

Our policy is, as far as the claims of operational efficiency allow, to give priority to the development areas in choosing locations for work dispersed from London; but I cannot at this stage give undertakings about particular locations. Discussions are in progress about placing surplus established staff in other Departments.

Mr. Sutcliffe

May I urge on my hon. Friend the seriousness of the situation, particularly for young people on Teesside? While clerical work is severely limited, clerical workers in the youth employment service are overstretched giving guidance and making unemployment payments which, in the four months from June to September, were running at an annual rate nine times as high as that of Birmingham.

Mr. Howell

I take note of my hon. Friend's point about the seriousness of the situation. I cannot give particular undertakings, but the claims of areas such as those in development areas will be given sympathetic consideration.

Mr. David Reed

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that, since there are 137 civil servants on Teesside who are now extremely worried about their future due to the impending closure of the Investment Grants Office, this matter directly concerns him? Will he undertake to approach and make representations to his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on their behalf?

Mr. Howell

I shall be looking at the matter very closely. The effects will not begin to be felt until next year, but I shall give the matter sympathetic consideration.

Mr. Bob Brown

Does the Minister's original Answer about concern for the development areas measure up with the fact that the Land Commission in Newcastle is to be closed, thereby causing considerable redundancies among civil servants? Have the Government any proposals for bringing in a new Department to take its place?

Mr. Howell

Looking after established civil servants is one thing. Keeping on redundant organisations which cost the taxpayer money is quite another.