§ 22. Mr. J. Harveyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what guidance he proposes to issue to Greater London boroughs with a view to ensuring that they should act as good employers in the appointment of their principal officers.
§ Sir K. JosephThe advice of the London Government Staff Commission on the procedure to be followed in making these appointments has already been sent to the London borough councils. Its essential purpose is to ensure that these authorities first seek their chief officers from staff affected by the reorganisation of London government; but the final choice among suitable candidates must in each case rest with the council itself.
§ Mr. HarveyWill my right hon. Friend agree that a good employer would give special weight to such factors as local knowledge, experience, length of service and seniority, and would it not be helpful in some of the problems with which these new authorities are faced, consequent upon amalgamation, if he were to issue some clear guidance on these points?
§ Sir K. JosephI think that I have passed on scrupulously the guidance provided by the London Government Staff Commission, which was set up for that purpose. Certainly, the points my hon. Friend mentions are among those to be taken carefully into account by the employing authorities, but I must, in the last resort, leave the discretion to them.