HC Deb 20 June 1979 vol 968 cc1317-9
63. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what plans he has for the dispersal of Civil Service jobs to Scotland.

64. Mr. Cyril D. Townsend

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement on the Government's attitude to the Hardman report.

Mr. Channon

I refer the hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Bath (Mr. Patten) on 11 June.

Mr. Hamilton

Does the Minister recognise that unemployment in Scotland will reach enormous proportions, the like of which we have not seen since 1945, as a direct result of the policies announced by the Government in the last few weeks? Will the Minister give a firm assurance that the plans to move Civil Service jobs to Glasgow and Scotland will not be cut back by the Government?

Mr. Channon

I shall not comment on the hon. Member's first question. We are reviewing the whole dispersal programme. No decisions have been taken. We hope to announce our findings by the end of July. I shall take fully into account everything which the hon. Member has said.

Mr. Townsend

Is my hon. Friend aware that many of us who welcomed the initial idea of getting Whitehall out of Whitehall now have reservations because of the growing unemployment in London which we inherited? Will the Minister ensure that the Government are flexible when they review this matter?

Mr. Channon

I shall take into account what my hon. Friend has said and all representations made by hon. Members.

Mr. Gregor MacKenzie

Is the Minister aware that during the general election campaign the official Conservative spokesman on the Civil Service indicated that the Labour Government's plans for the dispersal of jobs to Scotland would be continued and indeed, might be speeded up? Is the Minister further aware that on 23 May the Secretary of State for Scotland indicated in the House that he had no plans to change the arrangements made by the Labour Government?

Mr. Channon

I shall study what the right hon. Member has said. He has been active in making representations about this matter. They will be fully considered.

Mr. Henderson

Does my hon. Friend accept that there are several hon. Members on the Government side who are anxious that he should press forward urgently on this matter? Will he particularly bear in mind that a large proportion of people at the front end in the Armed Services are based in Scotland and that there is good reason why their back-up should be there as well? Will he also bear in mind the point made by the Opposition spokesman, which reveals that there are vacancies in the Civil Service in London, and these jobs would be welcome in Glasgow?

Mr. Channon

I shall certainly consider what my hon. Friend says. I know that his point of view is shared by a large number of hon. Members throughout the House.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

Will the Minister give an assurance that before he takes a final decision on the Government's dispersal policy he will consult the local authorities that have been anticipating this dispersal since 1974 and have made moneys, buildings and sites available to receive Civil Service Departments.

Mr. Channon

I am certainly open to receive representations from any relevant local authority or group of hon. Members. I have already seen some local authorities and hope to see others as well as hon. Members. I shall take into account any representations that are made.

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