HC Deb 31 July 1956 vol 557 cc134-6W
Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make a statement about the regional organisation of his Department.

Mr. Maudling

Yes. For some time there has been a decline in the amount of work falling upon the Ministry of Supply components of the regional offices in England, which for the past three years have been merged with those of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. I have therefore been able to reduce the number of my staff in these offices from 157 on 1st March, 1954, to 37 at the present time. As a further measure of economy, I have now decided to disband the Ministry of Supply component in these offices as from today, and to arrange for the remaining work to be carried out in future either by my Headquarters staff or (where appropriate) by the Board of Trade regional offices acting as agents on my behalf. As from today, therefore, the joint title of the regional offices in England will be abandoned, and they will be known as the Board of Trade Regional Offices.

I propose, however, to retain staff in Scotland and in Wales, and the controllers there will continue as at present to be jointly responsible to my right hon. Friend and myself.