§ Mr. McKayasked the Minister of Works (1) if he is aware of the dissatisfaction of the staff side due to the suggested closing of the Newcastle Regional Office; if he has considered the suggestion, made by the local staff, that a sub-regional office at Newcastle, covering Northumberland, Durham, North-East Yorkshire, Cumberland, and Westmorland, would save manpower and give efficiency; and if he will reconsider his decision in the light of these suggestions.
(2) in the proposed reconstruction plan for the regional offices of his Department, what consideration he gave to the advantages of a sub-regional office at Newcastle, which would save paying salaries to the Regional Director and Assistant Directors; if he is aware that a close examination of the staff at Leeds and Manchester would produce economies equal to those in the proposed amalgamation, and would obviate the expense of transferring the families involved; and if he will reconsider his decision in the light of these facts.
§ Mr. Buchan-HepburnThe staff side have made known their views and have been informed that I propose to retain a district office at Newcastle. I am satisfied that the concentration of regional work in my offices at Leeds and Manchester will give the most satisfactory and economical results. I have, therefore, no grounds for reconsideration of the decision to close the regional office at Newcastle.