§ Captain W. BENNasked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed to transfer the headquarters of the Training Department of the Ministry of Labour from Edinburgh to Glasgow; whether economy would be effected thereby; whether he is aware that considerable hardship and expense would be caused to the staff by the transfer; and whether it is proposed to pay the travelling expenses of members of the staff who live in the East of Scotland?
§ Sir M. BARLOWThe replies to the first two parts of the question are in the affirmative. At the present time the headquarters of the Training Department in Scotland are in Edinburgh, and there is a branch office in Glasgow. The transfer of the headquarters to Glasgow will make possible the abandonment of one office and, at the same time, in view of the fact that the greater part of the work lies in the Glasgow area, increase the efficiency of administration. I regret any inconvenience that the transfer may cause the staff in Edinburgh, but, so far as is possible, arrangements have been made to offer them corresponding positions in Glasgow. It will not, however, be possible to pay the staff travelling expenses, if they continue to reside in or near Edinburgh.