HC Deb 21 March 1940 vol 358 cc2104-5
9. Mr. Maxton

asked the Minister of Labour how many members of his staff have been engaged in the compilation of the Central Register; how many are now engaged in the work of selecting persons for appointments in the Civil Service; and whether these officers are regular members of his staff or have been specially recruited for this work?

Mr. E. Brown

The number of staff engaged in the compilation of and placing from the Central and subsidiary Registers has varied from time to time according to the flow of work. The maximum number employed at any time on the whole work of the branch is 124. The number of staff engaged full or part time on selection is 28. In a number of sections these officers, all of whom are regular members of the staff, are assisted by panels of the professions concerned, who give their time voluntarily. Since last December Sir Walter Moberly has combined his duties as chairman of the University Grants Committee with the general supervision of the work of the Register. His services in both capacities are given without remuneration.

Mr. Maxton

Are any of these extra staff transferred from the staff of the Civil Service Commission?

Mr. Brown

No, Sir; they are regular members of the staff of my Department.

Mr. Maxton

What experience have they had in the past of this sort of work? Have they had any experience in selecting professional people for professional appointments?

Mr. Brown

The hon. Member does not seem to have appreciated my answer about the committees which give their time in this matter, and have from the beginning helped to build up this professional register in consultation with the panels.

Mr. Maxton

The point I want to make is this: Was there not at the Civil Service Commission's Department a staff trained and experienced in selecting this class of professional worker, and are not experienced men already available in the Civil Service?

Mr. Brown

I do not believe that at all. The hon. Member puts the emphasis in the wrong place. I set up this register

for the purpose of making available for all Government Departments, and indeed for war-time industry, the knowledge as to men and women of exceptional capacity in all kinds of professions and occupations, so that if necessary they might be invited either to leave their present occupations and enter occupations necessary for the conduct of the war, or fill an urgent appointment.