NEW WHITEHALL BLOCK

Evening Star, Issue 22559, 29 January 1937, Page 9

NEW WHITEHALL BLOCK

SUSPENSION OF BUILDING OPERATIONS DISADVANTAGE IN WAR TIME Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, January 28. The ‘ Manchester Guardian’s ’ political correspondent declares that there is reason to believe that a change in policy lies behind the decision to suspend for a year the building of a big block of new Government offices in Whitehall, costing £1,500,000. Centralisation of Government offices has •long been an official ideal, but there are now serious doubts whether it would not be a serious disadvantage in war time, especially as the proposed new building would he near a river, which, as the last war proved, affords the best bearings for enemy aircraft. Whether this means complete abandonment of the Whitehall scheme remains to be seen. IN INTERESTS OF DEFENCE NEW BUILDING TOO GREAT A TARGET LONDON, January 28. The ‘ Morning Post’s ’ political correspondent says: “It is understood that the Government’s surprising decision to suspend the Whitehall building was taken in the interests of London’s air defence. It is felt that the new building would present too great a target for air attack. It was proposed to house therein four vital Government departments, the Air, Labour, and Transport Ministries and the Board of Trade. Over 5,000 Civil servants would thus have been accommodated under one roof. It is not expected that the work will be resumed.