HC Deb 23 November 1943 vol 393 cc1446-7
56. Mr. Keeling

asked the Financial Sercetary to the Treasury whether he will name the Departments in which the full utilisation of man power and the elimination of wasteful methods are discussed by the Whitley Councils?

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Assheton)

Collaboration with the staff in this field takes various forms according to the circumstances in each Department at various times; in war-time especially it is often effected by way of informal contacts rather than by the use of Whitley Councils or their sub-committees. Inquiry has been made of the 27 Departments whose staff number r,000 or more whether they use inter alia the method of more or less formal discussion under Whitley machinery in handling man-power problems, and I am circulating a list of the Departments where there is such discussion.

Mr. W. Brown

Is not the Minister aware that trade unions are profoundly dissatis- fied with the co-operation they receive from the administration in the handling of man-power problems in the public service and the saving of unnecessary labour?

Mr. Assheton

I am afraid that I cannot accept the implications in that question. If the hon. Member looks at the list, he will see how widespread the consultations are.

Following are the Departments: