32. Colonel NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the public demand for a reduction in the cost of the Civil Service, he will follow the precedent of one at least of the State Governments of Australia and cause to be set up an impartial Committee which, dealing with the higher salaried officials of each Government Department, will examine each official and decide whether his experience and capability is adequate and, where adequate, necessary to the efficient working of the Department, and the decision of the Committee in each case to be final and not subject to the concurrence of the Minister in charge of the Department?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Sir Robert Horne)My hon. and gallant Friend's proposal runs counter to the whole principle of the responsibility of Ministers to this House for the efficient and economical administration of the Departments under their control; and I fear, therefore, that I cannot agree to his suggestion.
Colonel NEWMANCan the right hon. Gentleman get into communication with the: representative of New South Wales in this country and ask him how the Government of New South Wales Government dealt with their officials?
§ Sir R. HORNEI am afraid New South Wales could not possibly teach us how a committee can discover the adequacy of an official for a particular post as well as the Minister in charge of the Department.
Colonel NEWMANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in New South Wales, a committee did it successfully?