§ 46. Mr. W. Brownasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will take in 657 hand the reorganisation of the Civil Service with a view to securing an end of the situation in which the establishments of all Departments are controlled by the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury; the separation of the function of Permanent Secretary from that of the Head of the Civil Service; the establishment of a properly constituted personnel department in the shape of a reconstituted Civil Service Commission; and the abolition of the caste system of recruitment to the Civil Service?
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Kingsley Wood)There are various implications in the Question, and more especially in the fourth part, which I cannot accept. Subject to that qualification the answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. BrownWill the Chancellor make representations to his right hon. Friend the Leader of the House with a view to the House being given an opportunity to discuss the whole question of the organisation of the Civil Service?
§ Sir K. WoodThe hon. Gentleman had better take up that matter through the usual channels.
§ Sir W. DavisonWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the Deputy Prime Minister informed me in the House some weeks ago that the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury had no direct control over the head of any Government Department?
§ Sir K. WoodI am sure that whatever my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister said is correct.