HC Deb 23 June 1930 vol 240 cc796-7
48. Mr. GRANVILLE

asked the Prime Minister if it is his intention to appoint to the unemployment committee a civil servant from the Ministry of Agriculture to represent the position of English and Welsh farming?

50. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLE

asked the Prime Minister the power and duties and composition of the organisa- tion of civil servants which has now been established for the purpose of dealing with unemployment and of co-ordinating the experiences of departments thereon?

The PRIME MINISTER

I would refer the hon. Members to the statement which I made in the course of the debate on 18th June. A staff of civil servants, performing the ordinary functions of civil servants, has been appointed to work under the direction of the Unemployment Committee of the Cabinet. Full provision is being made for taking into effective consultation the separate departments concerned.

Sir HENRY BETTERTON

Are these full-time jobs, and will they be seconded?

The PRIME MINISTER

Yes, for the time being they are seconded.

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what measure of co-ordination, if any, has been established with the civil servants and the others on the Board sitting with them?

The PRIME MINISTER

I have said that they are performing the ordinary functions of civil servants, and they are in the same relation to Ministers as they were when they were in their Departments.

Mr. W. J. BROWN

Can the Prime Minister assure the House that if and when civil servants are appointed to carry out this kind of function the old tradition of preserving their anonymity will be carried out in this House?

The PRIME MINISTER

I have said that that will be done, and I shall continue to do so.

Mr. BROWN

I am very glad to hear that.

Sir K. WOOD

Did not the right hon. Gentleman announce the name of the chairman of this Committee as a permanent civil servant? And he volunteered the information!

The PRIME MINISTER

The right hon. Gentleman, as usual, is misinformed. I announced no name of chairman because no such office exists.

Sir K. WOOD

But the right hon. Gentleman mentioned the name of the permanent secretary at the Home Office.

The PRIME MINISTER

No.

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