HC Deb 06 May 1920 vol 128 cc2275-6W
Mr. REMER

asked the Minister of Labour how many buildings are occupied by his staff; and whether he will devise means to have these offices curtailed?

2. Dr. MACNAMARA

The buildings occupied wholly or in part by the staff of the Ministry of Labour in Great Britain are as follow:—

Administrative Offices.

(a) In London 29, of which the following are the principal Headquarter Offices of the Ministry:

  1. 1. Montagu House, Richmond Terrace, and adjoining bungalows, accommodating a staff of 615.
  2. 2. St. Ermin's, accommodating 819.
  3. 3. Queen Anne's Chambers, with a staff of 675.
  4. 4. Claims and Record Office, Kew, 1,819.

(b) In the Provinces, 128, distributed between the Departments of the Ministry as follows:

Employment Department 11
Training Department (excluding Government Instructional Factories) 24
Appointments Department 35
Finance Department 11
Civil Liabilities Department 36
Wages and Arbitration Department 11

Employment Exchanges.

London 86
Provinces 565

In Ireland there are 40 buildings of which 8 are administrative and 32 Employment Exchanges.

During the last two months a net reduction of 31 buildings has been effected; this reduction has been made possible mainly owing to the decline in the number of persons dealt with at the Employment Exchanges in connection with the Out-of-Work Donation Scheme.

I would add that, in conjunction with the First Commissioner of Works, I am making every effort to keep the number of premises occupied by my Department within the narrowest limits consistent with the effective discharge of the functions with which it has been entrusted by Parliament.