HC Deb 16 November 1972 vol 846 cc607-8
Q3. Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Prime Minister when he expects to receive the report of the Hardman Committee on the dispersal of Government offices; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Barber

I have been asked to reply.

As my right hon. Friend told the hon. Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Bagier) on 24th October, recommendations will soon be submitted. The House will be fully informed of the Government's decisions.—[Vol. 843, c. 263–4.]

Mr. Taylor

Has the Chancellor seen the latest official figures which show that the average rental for office accommodation for one civil servant in Central London is £1,050 per year, whereas similar accommodation in Glasgow and Edinburgh is £225? Will the Chancellor bear in mind these startling figures, as well as the need for employment, when considering the report?

Mr. Barber

When we get the recommendations of the Committee, we will obviously bear all these factors in mind. The two main criteria which we shall have in mind in choosing locations will be efficiency and economy of operation, on the one hand, and certainly, as my hon. Friend suggested, the needs of the regions, on the other.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Will the Chancellor tell us what is meant by "soon"? We have such phrases so often. Will he bear in mind particularly the need for Government offices and nationalised industry offices like the National Coal Board in the North-East?

Mr. Barber

My right hon. Friend will obviously take note of what the hon. Gentleman has said. I realise that this committee is taking longer to report than many people had expected but it is important to recognise that the earlier dispersal initiative, which took place in 1963, was concerned with self-contained executive work of little policy content and few contacts with Ministers, Parliament and outside bodies. This is a bigger operation, which accounts for the length of time it is taking.

Mr. Kenneth Lewis

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of the back-up operations behind the Civil Service at the top level could just as easily be done in the provinces? If many of these people went to the provinces they could send back messages to London which would enable the people at the top to have a better view of the attitude of ordinary people in the country as a whole, instead of just in the Metropolis.

Mr. Barber

I take note of my hon. Friend's first point. On his second point, as a Yorkshireman, I can certainly say that he is absolutely right.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

May I recommend to the Chancellor the area of North-East Lancashire which, on all the grounds that he has elaborated, stands out like a beacon? It is efficient, and there is a need in the region.

Mr. Barber

Certainly.