§ 21. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will pay an official visit to the Ministry o/ Defence pay office at Cheadle Hulme.
§ Dr. GilbertMy right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.
§ Mr. BennettIs the Minister aware that many of my constituents who work in the office are disturbed at rumours 1317 that their work may be transferred from Cheadle Hulme to Glasgow in the near future? Will he allay those fears?
§ Dr. GilbertI have had representations from several hon. Members on this point. No final decision has been made on the blocks of work to be dispensed to St. Enoch. We shall have to take a decision in the Summer Recess this year.
§ Mr. ViggersDoes the Minister agree that it does not make any sense to transfer the pay and records office to Glasgow when it is being operated satisfactorily elsewhere in the country?
§ Dr. GilbertThe hon. Gentleman is aware that the Government have a commitment to a dispersal policy. The MOD is taking its share of that policy, which involves 1,500 people based at Anderston and 3,500 at the St. Enoch site. The packages of work which make up those activities have yet to be decided.