Clerical Association's Proposals

HC Deb 12 November 1957 vol 577 c771

37. Mr. Wade

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he proposes to take to increase the efficiency of the working of the Civil Service along the lines of proposals submitted to him by the Civil Service Clerical Association earlier this year.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

The Civil Service Clerical Association's proposals have been under examination by the Treasury and some of the big employing Departments. The indications so far are that they would not produce significant reductions of staff, and that the net result would be to increase the cost of the Service. Further investigations will be made before final conclusions are reached.

Mr. Wade

Does the Chancellor agree that where employees, whether civil servants or others, put forward proposals designed to save manpower and to increase efficiency, they should be given every possible encouragement? Can he give an assurance that the proposals referred to in the Question will not be pigeon-holed?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Such proposals should certainly be encouraged and examined, but if they cost more it is probable that they ought to be rejected.