29. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will draw the attention of the heads of Government Departments to the advisability of obtaining independent outside advice from the management consultant profession on some of their problems of organisation and structure, with a view to improving operating conditions and facilitating economies.
§ The Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster-General (Mr. Henry Brooke)I am satisfied that heads of Departments are fully aware that, in discharging their responsibilities for efficient management, they can have recourse to independent outside advice, if they wish to supplement the advice of their own specially trained organisation and methods officers.
Mr. Gresham CookeWould not my right hon. Friend agree that we have some first-rate management consultants in this country who advise not only British but American firms on organisational problems? Would he not go rather further and advise heads of Departments now to bring those people in from time to time to improve the efficiency and economy of our Government Departments?
§ Mr. BrookeI have the highest regard for the work of management consultants in this country. They are being used by more than one Government Department at present but most of the work in Government offices is more of the kind 1522 that can best be advised on by specially trained organisation and methods experts, whereas the management consultants are more likely to be of value on the industrial side.