HC Deb 18 March 1942 vol 378 c1507
46. Mr. Crowder

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that there is a growing demand throughout the country for a general speed-up of the machinery of government as the Ministerial changes are not in themselves sufficient to increase production and to overcome the waste of man-power, money and material which is taking place; and what steps he is taking to meet this demand?

Mr. Attlee

I do not accept the assumptions on which my hon. Friend's Question is based, but no doubt the forthcoming Debate on the Office of Minister of Production will afford opportunities for discussing these and kindred topics.

Mr. Crowder

Would my right hon. Friend take further steps to co-ordinate Government Departments and also to try and encourage responsible officers to give decisions without continual reference to committees, in order to obviate the delay which the present procedure seems to entail?

Mr. Attlee

That is a point which the hon. Member might bring up in Debate.

Captain Sir William Brass

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that there is no waste of men, material and money?

Mr. Shinwell

Does my right hon. Friend accept the assumption that there is need for a speed-up in machinery, and that that was the purpose of appointing the Minister of State as Minister of Production?

Major Lyons

Arising out of the original answer, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is throughout the country a feeling that we are being kept back by some frustration in the Government, a frustration and delay about which everybody is complaining?