§ 46. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Prime Minister how many people are now employed as civil servants in local administration, or by the Crown, either directly or indirectly and permanently or temporarily, in this country; what consideration has been given to the rules regarding their political and civic activities; and in view of the large increase and their varied functions what changes are contemplated in the limitations now imposed on them.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister assumes that my hon. Friend requires figures for the Civil Service, local government staff and employees of the socialised industries. They are in round numbers: Civil Service (non-industrial), 700,000; Civil Service (Industrial staff), 400,000; Local Government, 1,500,000; Socialised Industries, 1,500,000. Those in the two latter categories are not, however, civil servants, and the rules governing their political and civic activities are decided by the local authorities and the statutory boards by which they are employed. Industrial civil servants, numbering nearly 400,000, are already allowed a very considerable measure of freedom as regards political 375 and civic activities; as regards the, non-industrial Civil Service the question of modifying the present code has been raised by the staff side of the National Whitley Council. Discussions are pending and, in the meantime, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister prefers not to make any statement.
§ Mr. FreemanCan the Lord President of the Council give any indication when the results of that report will be available?
§ Mr. MorrisonI am afraid I could not say. At the moment, it is not a question of a report, but a question of discussions with the staff side of the Whitley Council on their initiative.