§ 4. Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the operation of the pay and records unit of the Royal Navy.
§ Mr. ViggersIs the Minister aware that the possible move of the Pay and Records Office to Glasgow, at vast expense, has caused some cynical observers to believe that the Government may be more interested in buying Scottish votes than in the efficiency of the Services? Will he refute this gross slur on his Department by explaining his intentions?
§ Dr. GilbertI am glad that the hon. Gentleman is not one of the cynics. He is quite right. The reasons for the Government's dispersal programme relate to such considerations as the fact that the level of unemployment in the area that he 1344 represents, regrettably high as it is, is nowhere near as high as it is in Glasgow.
§ Mr. WatkinsonRelating to the matter raised by the hon. Member for Gosport (Mr. Viggers), would my right hon. Friend accept that there is a base in my constituency—RAF innsworth—where there is great opposition to such a move? Can he undertake that there will be no announcement relating to the dispersal programme during the parliamentary recess?
§ Dr. GilbertI know my hon. Friend's great interest in this matter and the vigorous way in which he protects the interests of his constituents. He had, I believe, an Adjournment debate which was answered by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Air Force only a few days ago. I am very happy to give him the assurance for which he asks.