HC Deb 10 July 1941 vol 373 cc307-8
45. Mr. Mander

asked the Prime Minister what is the present position, status and work, under the Government, of Sir William Beveridge?

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Attlee)

Sir William Beveridge recently relinquished his post on the staff of the Ministry of Labour and National Service and is giving his services without remuneration, except for travelling and subsistence allowances, as chairman of two committees. One of them, as stated by my right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio in reply to a Question on 10th June, is the Inter-Departmental Committee which is making a comprehensive survey of social insurance and allied services. The other, as stated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service in reply to a Question on 12th June, is the committee which, by arrangement with the heads of the Service Departments, is examining the employment of skilled men in the Forces. Sir William continues to hold the post of chairman of the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee, to which he was appointed in 1934.

Mr. Mander

Purely for purposes of clarification, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether Sir William Beveridge is a civil servant or not?

Mr. Attlee

I have answered the Question on the Paper.

Mr. Mander

Is he bound by the rules of the Civil Service?

Mr. Attlee

He is acting in a temporary capacity, unpaid. If the hon. Member wants to know whether or not he is technically a civil servant, perhaps he will put a Question on the Order Paper.