HL Deb 09 May 1967 vol 282 cc1419-20WA
LORD MANCROFT

asked Her Majesty's Government:

  1. (1) Whether the Gas Council's intention to centralise its staff in the Marble Arch area at a rent of £600,000 a year is in accordance with the Government's policy for the de-centralisation of business accommodation; and,
  2. (2) what rent the Gas Council is presently paying for the accommodation it will be surrendering.

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)

The Gas Council's staff are already in Central London but are at present housed in a number of separate offices. The decision to set up a single headquarters was taken in the interests of efficiency and to enable the Council to establish the facilities it needs for the exercise of its growing responsibilities, particularly in connection with natural gas. The Gas Council's staff forms only a small proportion of the total employed in the industry, the majority of whom are outside London; my right honourable friend is satisfied of the need for the Gas Council to be located in London, but the possibilities of locating certain functions elsewhere will be kept under continuing review.

The rents payable by the Gas Council for the new accommodation and for the accommodation it will be surrendering are matters of day-to-day management for which my right honourable friend is not responsible.