§ 27. Mr. Blakerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has completed his consultations with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about the provision of accommodation for that Department which is more consistent with the requirements of modern business practice; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AmeryConsultations with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office—and other Departments—are continuing.
§ Mr. BlakerHowever much one may admire the appearance of the present building, is my right hon. Friend bearing in mind that it is a quarter of a century since it was unanimously declared obsolete as a place for people to work in, and that it is eight years since the present Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, then the Minister of Works, said that it was an unsuitable building for its present purposes?
§ Mr. AmeryMy hon. Friend has put down, I think, half a dozen Questions to me on this subject, and I am grateful to him for looking in on our proceedings today so that I can make a supplementary reply to his queries. I will give the most careful consideration to the arguments for and against rebuilding the old public offices. There are questions both of environment and of practicability to be considered.
§ Mr. DalyellIs not this a matter for the Lord President's remembrancer?
§ Mr. Hugh FraserWould my right hon. Friend look, among other considerations, at the number of staff employed at the Foreign Office in 1914, when we were a great Power, and the number employed today when it is about 18 times as many? Will he see whether they can work a bit harder in their present accommodation?
§ Mr. AmeryI venture to submit that that question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.