HC Deb 30 April 1973 vol 855 cc790-1
19. Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many persons who were successful in Civil Service examinations applied for posting in Scotland during the last annual period for which figures are available; and how many were able to be given posts in Scotland.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

The Civil Service Commission annually deals with over 100,000 applicants, and no records are kept of posting preferences, but it reports that in the executive officer scheme for 1972, to which, I think, my hon. Friend is referring, there were 800 successful Scottish candidates and 300 vacancies in Scotland. Most Scottish candidates would prefer to work in Scotland, but about 75 per cent. were willing to work elsewhere.

Mr. Taylor

Is this not further evidence of the availability of suitable staff in Scotland and of the need to transfer more Civil Service jobs to Scotland? Will my hon. Friend confirm that all the offices which have been transferred have been very successful? Bearing in mind the availability of office space, the lower costs and the easier housing situation in many parts of Scotland, will my hon. Friend take steps to ensure that Scotland has full consideration for any jobs that are going?

Mr. Baker

I agree with my hon. Friend that the availability of qualified staff is an important factor, but I am sure that he will agree that many factors have to be taken into account in the dispersal of Civil Service offices. I also agree that the dispersal of, for example, the National Savings Bank to Cowglen has been particularly successful and that, on the whole, those who have gone there do not want to come back.

Mr. William Hannan

For far too long the trend has been for young people to leave the west of Scotland and come south for jobs. Would it not be a good innovation if the present Government reversed that trend and took some jobs up to the people who are qualified and ready to take them?

Mr. Baker

It was the previous Conservative Government in 1963 who instituted the former dispersal review—the Fleming review—which resulted in the dispersal of the National Savings Bank to Cowglen. If we did not think it right to disperse Government offices we should not have instituted the Hardman inquiry.

Sir Gilbert Longden

Did I understand my hon. Friend aright? Did he say that only 75 per cent. of Scotsmen wished to work outside Scotland?

Mr. Baker

I can only speak for those who are successful in the Civil Service examination.

Mr. William Hamilton

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that an added attraction in Scotland is that the great bulk of the country, nationally and locally, is Labour-controlled?

Mr. Baker

There are many added attractions in Scotland, but I should not put that at the top of my list.