HC Deb 12 December 1946 vol 431 cc1329-30
45. Major Peter Roberts

asked the Prime Minister whether he will decentralise the various Government Departments which have regional offices at Leeds, so that executive decisions on Sheffield matters can be taken at Sheffield, thereby leading to quicker and more efficient administration

The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

If the proposal is that there should be a new region centred on Sheffield, I cannot accept it. Some Departments already delegate substantial authority to offices in Sheffield, but circumstances differ so widely that uniformity is not practicable. I know of no evidence for the suggestion that the interests of Sheffield suffer from the present arrangement

Major Roberts

Is the Prime Minister aware that there is general dissatisfaction with the position at the moment; and can not he see that the Civil Service in peace time is run for the convenience of the public, and not the public for the Civil Service?

The Prime Minister

I am not aware, as I stated, of the allegation made by the hon. and gallant Member in the first part of his statement. As to the second part, there obviously must be a limit. The setting up of regional offices all over the country, in every town, would lead to a much larger increase in the Civil Service.