HC Deb 10 December 1946 vol 431 cc980-1

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

65. Mr. DE LA BÈRE,

—To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether, arising out of the Governments present legislative programme, he will give an assurance that steps will be taken by a complete overhaul of the Civil Service to prevent the increase of employment of civil servants throughout the country rising to 1,000,000 from the present figure of 950,000

Mr. De la Bère

On a point of Order. May I apologise to the House, Mr. Speaker, for not having been able to take into account the revised figures in regard to the number of unnecessary civil servants? The figure is far higher than the one I have stated in my Question.

Mr. Dalton

On the contrary, the figure is far lower. The hon. Gentleman's original figure is wrong. The total non-industrial Civil Service numbered 709,449 on 1st July. The matter is being kept under close review by His Majesty's Government, who intend to ensure that the call made on the national manpower for the public services is kept at the minimum consistent with the proper execution of approved policy.

Mr. De la Bère

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the greatest problem we have before us today is a shortage of manpower? Has not the Lord President of the Council, the dictator there, told us exactly so, and will he not do something so as not to use more officials than necessary?