Open to Air Attack

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 24, 29 January 1937, Page 7

Open to Air Attack

Government Office Block Building Held Up

CHANGE OF POLICY HINTED AT. United Press Association—By iSlectrlc Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Thursday, 11.30 p.m. LONDON, Jan. 28. The Manchester Guardian’s political correspondent declares that there is reason to believe 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. The centralisation of the 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 be near the river, which, as the last war proved, affords the best bearings for enemy aircraft. Whether this means the complete abandonment of the Whitehall scheme remains to be seen. The Morning Post’s political corre sopndent says it is understood the Government’s surprising decision to suspend the Whitehall building programme was taken in the interests of London’s air defence. It is felt the new building would present too great a target for air attack. It was proposed to house in it four vital Government departments, the Air, Labour and Transport Ministries and the Board of Trade. Over 5000 civil servants would thus have been accommodated under one roof. It is not expected work will bo resumed.