§ Commander Scott-Millerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the future of offices of his Department in Scotland and in Wales.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftYes. Following on the merging of the regional offices of the two Departments in England, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and I have decided, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, that the offices of the two Departments in Scotland should be merged into a combined unit. We have also agreed with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and Minister for Welsh Affairs to effect a similar merger in Wales. We are satisfied that this step will reduce staff and overhead charges and can be taken without detriment to the services which the offices give to manufacturing industry in Scotland and Wales. The controller of the combined office will be responsible to each Minister for the work undertaken on his behalf.