§ 53. Major HILLSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the composition of the Committee of the National Whitley Council now inquiring into the future organisation of the Civil Service, including the recruitment of women thereto; who is chairman of this Committee; whether any women sit on it, and how many; and what are the terms of reference?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe Committee is composed of 25 members nominated by the official and staff sides of the National Council for the Administrative and Legal Departments of the Home Civil Service. The Chairman of the Committee is Sir Malcolm G. Ramsay, K.C.B, Controller of Establishments, Treasury, and Chairman of the National Council. The Vice-Chairman is Mr. G. H. Stuart-Bunning, O.B.E., J.P., Vice-Chairman of the National Council. Four of the members are women. The Committee is instructed to consider the scope of the duties at present allotted to the clerical classes in the Civil Service; to report on the organisation most appropriate to secure the effective performance of these duties: and to make recommendations as to scales of salary and methods of recruitment.
§ Major HILLSMay I ask for an assurance that this House will be consulted before the Report is sent forth?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. I do not think I can give that undertaking. The first stage is that the Report will go to the main body. It will now be considered by the main body.
§ Major HILLSIt may be debated here? It is important, especially in regard to the interests of women.