HC Deb 22 June 1943 vol 390 cc1002-3
52. Mr. Mander

asked the Minister without Portfolio how many persons form part of the small staff of specially appointed senior officers who are co-ordinating the efforts of existing Government Departments in working out the Beveridge proposals; what their names are; and whether he can now make a further statement as a result of the constructive work that has been done?

Sir W. Jowitt

As regards the first two parts of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for East Islington (Mrs. Cazalet Keir) on 18th March. As regards the last part, constructive work on the scheme is proceeding expeditiously. As my hon. Friend will appreciate, the problems involved in the working-out of the scheme are intricate and largely interrelated, and I am afraid that it is not possible at this stage to make any further statement.

Mr. Mander

Has my right hon. and learned Friend not said publicly that much hard and constructive work has been done by the Government on the Beveridge Report, and cannot we be told some of the results of their hard and constructive thinking? Cannot he make a statement in the near future?

Sir W. Jowitt

I have said publicly, what I said in answer to my hon. Friend's Question, that much constructive work is being done, and being done expeditiously, and I have also said that I am not prepared to add to what I have said at the present time.

Mr. Shinwell

As the right hon. and learned Gentleman has said that constructive work is being done, will he send a copy of his reply to the Under-Secretary for the Home Department?

Earl Winterton

In view of the interest taken in this matter in all parts of the House, may we expect to have a White Paper issued before the Summer Recess or a statement made to tell us what has been done?

Sir W. Jowitt

I cannot give my Noble Friend any promise, but the Government are fully aware of the widespread interest in this matter.

Mrs. Cazalet Keir

As the names of the civil servants who helped Sir William Beveridge with his Report were published, why cannot the names of the senior civil servants who are helping to work it out now be published?

Sir W. Jowitt

Personally, I should not have any objection, but the practice is, as I ascertained before answering the last Question, not to give the names of civil servants.

Sir H. Williams

Since His Majesty's Government exported Sir William Beveridge to the United States of America, has not interest in him very much declined?

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