HC Deb 05 December 1979 vol 975 cc215-6W
67. Mr. Dewar

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations he has had with the Civil Service unions about the future of the National Savings Bank at Cowglen, Glasgow.

Mr. Lawson

My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer met the Staff Sides of the four main Departments in the Treasury area, including that of the Department for National Savings of which the National Savings Bank is a part, on 26 June 1979. At this meeting the options exercise was discussed in general terms. I met the DNS Staff Side on 24 July and my right hon. Friend again met the DNS Staff Side on 22 October at its request. At these latter two meetings the Staff Side was informed that no decisions had yet been reached about possible reductions of functions in the Department in connection with the Government's policy of reducing the size and cost of the public sector.