46. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider setting up a Royal Commission to inquire into the efficiency of the civil servants employed in the Government Departments at Whitehall, with a view to expediting preparedness for emergency and the full development of our national resources?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I do not think any useful purpose would be served by setting up a Royal Commission such as is suggested by my hon. Friend. Since the War there have been several inquiries which have included the subject he appears to have in mind. In each case the conclusion has been reached that the standard of efficiency in the Civil Service is in all respects satisfactory.
Mr. De la BèreIs my right hon. Friend aware of the delays taking place in Whitehall to-day through overlapping and jealousies, and that in one case there has been three weeks' delay; and is he 1397 aware that, generally speaking, the civil servant over 50 has no imagination and the civil servant under 50 has very little?