HC Deb 06 March 1973 vol 852 cc232-3
Q9. Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Prime Minister if he has completed his consideration of the Hardman Report on the dispersal of Government offices; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough, West (Mr. Sutcliffe) on 22nd February.—[Vol. 851, c. 173.]

Mr. Taylor

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Scotland, which has had severe emigration of graduates and trained people over the years, is now looking forward to this report with enthusiasm? We hope that substantial numbers of offices can be moved. May I ask whether, when the job is completed, consideration can be given by a similar committee to the possibility of moving some of the jobs and headquarters of nationalised industries?

The Prime Minister

My hon. Friend will appreciate that this is a very important report and obviously contains a great amount of detail. We undertook from the beginning to discuss it in all its aspects with the staff side because, as I have told the House before, we must recognise that this report makes a very important impact on the lives of civil servants and their families, particularly on their children at school. I will consider whether, after this matter is completed, we might deal with various aspects of the nationalised industries, though obviously their relationship with the Government is different.

Mr. Bagier

If the right hon. Gentleman is genuine in his desire for the Civil Service to move outside London, may I ask how he equates that with the removal of the Department of Births, Marriages and Deaths from Somerset House to Knightsbridge?

The Prime Minister

I have already explained that the present review is concerned with those dealing with policy matters who therefore have to be within close communicating distance, whether physically or by other means of communication, with Ministers to meet the needs of Parliament. This explains the complexity of the present review and why we are giving so much attention to its substance.