§ 1. Mr. P. Williamsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions members of the Civil Service have been attached to private industry for a limited period to gain wider experience of industrial and scientific matters; and how many members of private industry have been temporarily attached to the Civil Service.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Reginald Maudling)During 1961–63 inclusive, 32 members of the home Civil Service of various classes and grades were attached for periods of one month or more to private industry and commerce. Seventy-four people from these fields were attached temporarily to the home Civil Service.
§ Mr. WilliamsWhile welcoming these figures, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that they still appear to be rather low? We as a nation really need to break away from the attitude which so often seems to inhibit the Civil Service that it will not touch anything tainted with trade, and, similarly, in free enterprise there are a lot of people who seem to think it is dangerous to be polluted with a public service. Cross-fertilisation in this field would be absolutely invaluable. Would not my right hon. Friend consider initiating discussions with, say, the National Union of Manufacturers and the Trades Union Congress to see how this can be achieved?
§ Mr. MaudlingI agree very much with my hon. Friend on the principle involved. It is, in practice, difficult to fit people in, for a limited period, either to big business or a Government Department, but I am sure that we should press on with this as much as we can.