§ 46. Captain Gammansasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider issuing an order to the administrative service of this country similar to that issued by the Governor of Burma to the effect that initiative in taking decisions is vital?
§ Mr. AttleeInstructions were issued to all Departments at the Prime Minister's direction in July, 1940, ordering further steps to be taken, including extended devolution of responsibility and authority, to avoid administrative delays, to accelerate decisions and to expedite executive action. Considerable steps to this end have been taken. Plans have been ready for some time for the independent exercise of Government functions by Regions if rendered necessary by invasion of this country. I do not think that any further general exhortation would be appropriate.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Minister not aware that in the administrative Departments it is still almost impossible to get the officials to cross chalk marks, and will he not consider giving a medal to the administrative official who breaks a regulation or who does an act for which there is no precedent?