SIR GUYER HUNTER(for Mr. PULESTON) (Devonport)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether any conclusion has been arrived at with reference to the reconsideration of the Playfair Scheme of the Civil Service; and, if so, whether it can be stated to the House?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL) (Paddington, S.)The operation of the Playfair Scheme has long been the subject of controversy, and various classes of public servants have, from time to time, found cause to object to its operation, and have enlisted more or less sympathy in the House of Commons with their complaints. The Government are of opinion that the time has arrived when the operation of this Scheme may be usefully and comprehensively inquired into. But they are also of opinion that it may conveniently form part of the general inquiry with reference to the whole of the Civil Service Establishments, which they have decided immediately to initiate. I may, therefore, be permitted to take this opportunity of stating to the House that the Government have determined to appoint a Royal Commission to investigate the Public Departments of the State, more particularly with regard to their clerical establishments. I will lay on the Table of the House this evening a Minute of the Treasury which sets forth at some length the grounds for the initiation of this most important inquiry. Perhaps the House will allow me to quote two paragraphs from the Minute, which will give the House fully and clearly the Reference to the Commission—
The Commission will inquire into the number, salaries, hours of labour, superannuation, costs of the staff, and the administration, regulation, and organization of the said offices. 170 They will state whether, in their opinion, the work of the different Offices is efficiently and economically performed, whether it can be simplified, whether the method of procedure can be improved, and whether the system of control is deficient or unnecessarily elaborate. As 10 years have now elapsed since the adoption of the Playfair Commission, the time has come when the working of the Scheme may with advantage be reviewed. The Commission will, therefore, report whether the Scheme has been fairly tried, whether its provisions have met the requirements of the Service and deserve confirmation, and whether any modifications are needed to give complete development. Lastly, they will examine the non-effective charge of the Civil Service, and advise whether the present pension scale and regulations are equitable alike to the State and to its servants.I am also in a position to state the names of the Commissioners. They will be Sir Matthew White Ridley (Chairman), Earl Brownlow, Lord Lingen, Lord Rothschild, the Right Hon. G. Sclater-Booth, M.P., the Right Hon. Henry H. Fowler, M.P., Mr. Charles Lewis, M.P., Mr. Arthur O'Connor, M.P., Mr. Peter Rylands, M.P., Sir Edward Guinness, Mr. J. Cleghorn (Director of the North-Eastern Railway), Mr. A. S. Harvey (Secretary to Messrs. Glyn, Mills, and Co.), Mr. A. B. Mitford, C.B. (late Assistant Commissioner of Public Works), and Mr. Walpole (Permanent Assistant Under Secretary at the India Office), who will be Secretary to the Commission.