§ 54. Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish by White Paper or other means, a full statement clearly defining the powers exercised by the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury in his capacity of head of the Civil Service in relation to his Civil Service colleagues and heads of other Government Departments in Whitehall.
§ Sir S. CrippsMatters affecting the Civil Service as a whole have for many years been dealt with by the Treasury, but in this, as in other fields, responsibility rests with Ministers. Since 1920 the consent of the Prime Minister has been required for appointments to certain higher posts in the Civil Service, and the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury has the duty of tendering advice to the Prime Minister in regard to these appointments. But the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury does not exercise any powers over his Civil Service colleagues in other Departments. Civil servants are responsible to their Ministerial chiefs and to no one else.
§ Major Legge-BourkeIs it not a fact that there is some difference between the power and authority of the head of the Civil Service over the Foreign Office and other Ministries? Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman consider a little further elucidation of that matter, either now or at some other time?
§ Sir S. CrippsThere is no difference. I do not think the matter requires any further elucidation. What I have said makes the position perfectly plain, I think.