§ 13 and 14. Mr. J. Rodgersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider (1) organising a competition among senior civil servants for ideas on economies that might be made in the service, such a competition to be organised so as to preserve the anonymity of civil servants and to be judged by an independent tribunal;
(2) asking senior civil servants for their ideas on how economies could be effected, not only in their own Departments, but generally throughout the Civil Service.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerMy hon. Friend seems to be under the impression that senior civil servants are loth to suggest how economies could be achieved in the administration of public services. That is not my experience. I am satisfied that Ministers get the benefit of their advice and assistance without the need to resort to the devices suggested.
§ Mr. RodgersCan my right hon. Friend say whether senior civil servants are encouraged to put forward their proposals for economies in Departments other than their own and, if so, what is the machinery at the Treasury for examining those proposals?
§ Mr. ButlerThe answer, in short, is that the Treasury have a team of very competent supply officers whose business it is to nose into other people's affairs.