HC Deb 14 July 1942 vol 381 cc1057-8
16. Mr. William Brown

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will authorise Whitley committees in mixed War Office establishments comprising civil and military personnel to discuss and make recommendations on the more effective use of man-power in these establishments, including the question of how far military personnel engaged on clerical work could be replaced by civilian personnel?

Sir J. Grigg

One of the functions of Whitley committees is the improvement of office machinery and organisation, and any suggestions made on those committees will receive every consideration. But the question of the proportion of military and civil personnel in mixed establishments is one of policy which must necessarily be laid down by the War Office and is outside the scope of local Whitley committees.

Mr. Brown

Is the Minister aware there is widespread feeling in all branches of the War Office that an immense number of military personnel, trained at some cost to the State, are being, for all practical purposes, wasted on civilian work which might easily be performed by men over military age or by women?

Sir J. Grigg

The hon. Member will forgive me if I give the same reply that I gave before to a similar Supplementary Question, namely, that I am aware that the Civil Service Clerical Association hold that opinion, but I am not aware that the opinion is widely held throughout the branches of the War Office.

Mr. Brown

If the Whitley committees may not discuss this matter in stations of the War Office, will the Minister tell us how we can get it ventilated and save this inordinate waste?

Sir J. Grigg

When I was in another capacity in the War Office, this matter was widely ventilated, both inside and outside the War Office, and was gone into with great thoroughness.