§ Mr. Arnold Shawasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps he took to ensure that the proposed building for the housing of the Patent Office in Croydon will be compatible with the continuing growth of its activities;
(2) whether the supply of clerical labour in Croydon will meet the needs of the Patent Office when transferred;
(3) what is the annual rent of the Patent Office in London, the proposed rent for premises in Croydon and the rent for comparable accommodation in an expanded town such as Swindon;
(4) whether, in moving the Patent Office to Croydon, he is satisfied that there are sufficient educational facilities there for the families of the displaced staff: and if he will make a statement;
(5) whether, in moving the Patent Office to Croydon, he is satisfied that there is sufficient suitable housing accommodation there for the displaced staff; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DarlingThe Patent Office is at present split between Crown and leased buildings; it is not the practice to disclose details of rents paid for Government offices. Negotiations are in progress for premises in Croydon which take account of the expected growth in the activities of the Patent Office and which also attract a lower rent than would be charged for new premises in Central London.
Croydon was chosen, after I had considered views expressed by the users of the Patent Office, because Croydon is so easily accessible from Central London. The residential area round Croydon can certainly accommodate staff who wish to move there and I understand that the plans of the educational authorities provide sufficient school places to meet the extensive developments under way in Croydon. I expect to find most of the Patent Office's requirements of clerical labour from the Board of Trade's own resources.