§ MR. CLAUDE HAYI beg to ask the Prime Minister if he would consider the propriety of inquiring into the possibility of instituting a tribunal to which civil servants could refer their grievances, due regard being given to the necessary discipline which must be maintained throughout the service.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe hon. Member's suggestion is, I am sure, put forward with the best intentions, but I am disposed to think that the tribunal which he has in his mind would fail to secure the very objects that he desires. I conceive that it would give rise to grave departmental and interdepartmental friction, that it would tend
†See (4) Debates, clxxviii., 63–4.975 to hamper the action or impair the responsibility of Ministers, and that it would add a further element of confusion to the whole question. I am afraid, therefore, that I am unable to hold out any hope to the hon. Member of his suggestion being adopted.
§ MR. CLAUDE HAYWill the right hon. Gentleman be able to make any proposal next year for an improvement on the present state of things?
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN"Next year" is a very wide term.