HC Deb 31 July 1956 vol 557 cc116-7W
101. Mr. J. Harrison

asked the Minister of Works what economies he expects to accrue by the closing of the Nottingham regional office of his Department and transferring it to Birmingham.

103. Mr. Redhead

asked the Minister of Works why it has been decided to close the Nottingham and Newcastle regional offices of his Department and to merge them with the Birmingham and Leeds offices, respectively; what economies it is hoped to achieve by these mergers; whether this decision was preceded by a detailed investigation within the regions; and what steps were taken to consult the affected staff interests before the decision was taken.

Mr. Bachan-Hepburn

The main reason for closing my Department's office at Nottingham and Newcastle is to adapt its regional organisation to the present load of work. The present regional organisation has been under continuous review for some time, and it has become apparent that the concentration of more work in my regional offices at Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds will effect substantial economies in staff and in office accommodation. As detailed

PRIVATE BUILDING WORK: VALUE OF WORK DONE
Year Month Quarter New Housing Industrial Other new work Maintenance excluding housing New Starts
Area of industrial building m. sq. ft. Houses thousands
£m. £m. £m. £m.
1955 April 2nd 53 52 30 28 17.3 13.0
May 12.9
June 12.2
July 3rd 61 56 33 30 19.8 11.8
August 11.5
September 11.5
October 4th 57 61 35 30 12.2 11.4
November 10.6
December 7.4
1956 January 1st 57 59 36 29 13.2* 8.5
February 7.0
March 11.1
April 2nd 12.8
May 12.5
June Not available
* Subject to revision.