HC Deb 24 May 1977 vol 932 cc1167-8
6. Mr. Arnold Shaw

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he intends to close the RAF careers information office at Lower Regent Street, London; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Wellbeloved

The careers information office will be closed as soon as the assignment of the lease can be arranged.

Mr. Shaw

I welcome that reply. Will the Minister go a little further and examine the possibility of other such offices occupying prime and expensive sites? Is there any possibility of a central office servicing the three Services at the same time and so effecting economies?

Mr. Wellbeloved

Certainly. I am continually reviewing the position in relation to careers information offices, because I am convinced that the cost of recruiting is too high. A number of studies are in hand. I hope that as a result of those studies, action will be taken fairly soon which will lead to further co-location and a substantial saving in expenditure on recruiting.