HC Deb 26 July 1976 vol 916 cc21-3
19. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on the future of the Civil Service College in Edinburgh.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

In so far as consultations with the National Staff Side have not been completed. I am not yet able to announce a decision on the future of the Edinburgh centre.

Mr. Dalyell

Will my hon. Friend accept from one who goes as guest lecturer frequently to this college that there is high morale and there are high-quality staff who feel that they are doing a good job? Can he say how the Prime Minister, when he mets the National Staff Side tomorrow, will explain that the Government can apparently find resources for a huge Edinburgh Assembly and yet have to close down a vital Civil Service college, the only one outside the London area?

Mr. Morris

I fully endorse my hon. Friend's eulogy of the contribution made by the staff at the Edinburgh college. They make a first-class contribution. In reply to my hon. Friend's request that I should explain how the Prime Minister will react to any points which the National Staff Side may make tomorrow in the discussions which he is to have with it. I can only say that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is quite capable of presenting his own case on such occasions.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

Is the hon. Gentleman saying that the college in Edinburgh is to get the "chop"? It so, how can he justify this? It is the only Civil Service college outside London and the South-East, and it is doing a splendid job. Why is it being chopped in favour of larger establishments in London?

Mr. Morris

As I say, I cannot give an answer at this stage because the consultations with the National Staff Side are proceeding. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will not interpret every such proposal in the context of nationalist sentiments. To suggest that the Civil Service College in Scotland is wholly Scottish completely misrepresents the situation. It does not cater exclusively or wholly for Scottish civil servants.

Mr. Watt

Does not the Minister recognise that his continued complacency is not good enough? It is high time that he ended the uncertainty among the staff at this excellent college.

Mr. Morris

I find it difficult to accept the hon. Gentleman's criticism that I have been complacent in this matter. At this stage, we are not making any announcement or general statement on the matter.

Mr. Rifkind

Will not the hon. Gentleman appreciate that it would be ironic if, at a time when the Government are bringing forward proposals for an Assembly which will require its own civil servants, they were simultaneously to axe the civil servants north of the Watford Gap?

Mr. Morris

I do not accept that there is a contradiction in policy. There is a Civil Service College in Edinburgh. It is doing a first-class job and it is staffed by first-class people, but it does not cater wholly or exclusively for Scottish civil servants.