Miss Wardasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the grave concern of civil servants as to the possible location outside London of his Ministry; and will he give an assurance that there will be an adequate opportunity for discussion on this subject by the interested staff associations before any irrevocable decision is taken.
§ Major Conantasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is expected that Government Departments, which were evacuated from London in the early days of the war, will be brought back to London soon after the conclusion of hostilties in Europe; and, if not, what is proposed.
§ Sir J. AndersonNo large scale return to London of evacuated Departments will be possible for some time after the conclusion of hostilities in Europe, in view 389W principally of the acute shortage of accommodation in London. At the same, time, not all the evacuated Departments can remain where they are. Some are occupying accommodation which may be urgently needed for other important purposes after the conclusion of hostilities; and some will have to begin recruitment of new permanent staff at an early date which it would be difficult to do in their present areas. For these and other reasons affecting particular Departments, it will be necessary that some Departments should be moved to other provincial localities. Plans are being worked out now, and the position of the staff involved will be discussed with staff representatives.