§ Mr. R. W. Elliottasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to find alternative work for the staff of the Investment Grants Offices.
§ Mr. John DaviesBecause of the rundown of investment grants work I have reviewed the plans for dispersing some of the Department's accounts and insolvency work to South Monmouthshire in the mid-1970's. The accounts work will now go to Billingham, where little alternative Government work is available, and the insolvency work to Cardiff. Both moves will be brought forward to 1972–73 to phase in with the run-down of the investment grants work.
In addition, the build up of the business statistics office at Newport will provide further work for staff from the Cardiff investment grants office. Some posts planned at Liverpool in the Ministry of Aviation Supply have also been identified for some of the investment grants office staff at Bootle. Consultations are continuing with the Civil Service Department and other Government Departments to find as many local posts as possible for the staff of the investment grants offices.