HC Deb 30 March 1936 vol 310 cc1623-4
45. Mr. T. SMITH

asked the Prime Minister what is the procedure for filling a vacancy for the permanent head of a Department of the Civil Service?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Baldwin)

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on the 25th and the 26th instant respectively to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Stirling and Clackmannan, Western (Mr. Johnston) and the hon. Member for Wentworth (Mr. Paling) by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and myself. As the hon. Member will see from those replies, moor posts in the Civil Service are tilled after the most careful review of the qualifications of all suitable officers irrespective of sectional considerations, with sole object of securing the appointment of the lest all-round men.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Has the right hon. Gentleman satisfied himself that the stipulations he has just read out were carefully observed in the recent appointment as chief civil servant at the Ministry of Agriculture?

The PRIME MINISTER

Yes, Sir.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Has the right hon. Gentleman personally satisfied himself on that point?

The PRIME MINISTER

Yes. During all the time I had been Prime Minister I have always been in the closest touch with every one of these appointments. It is one of the Prime Minister's duties to discuss with the In heads of the Civil Service; and every Prime Minister is always looking to the service to see who are the best of the younger men coming along in the hope that they may provide the right men for the responsible position 'as head of a Department.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to let us know whether he personally satisfied himself that, in the particular case to which I have referred, permanent officials who may have expected normally to receive promotion as the head of the Ministry of Agriculture were deservedly passed over in this case?

The PRIME MINISTER

I think the best man for the appointment was selected, but no one has any right to expect any particular promotion to the head of his own office or to any other.