§ 29. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many former employees of Labour Party organisations have been recruited into the Civil Service since October 1964; and how many have been established or are awaiting establishment.
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. James Callaghan)As no central records are kept, this information could not be produced without disproportionate cost and effort.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerMay I regret that the Prime Minister has side-stepped this question and handed it to the Chancellor, 1382 because this affects the whole Civil Service? Will the Chancellor give an assurance that he will not repeat the previous Socialist disaster called the "Cripps wage freeze", when Socialists were recruited as public relations officers for Government Departments and then established, as civil servants, which became an embarrassment and a liability to subsequent democratic administrations?
§ Mr. CallaghanThe hon. Member's history is quite inaccurate. So far as the present situation is concerned, there are a number of people moving into and out of the Civil Service. I. notice that one is proposing to go to the Conservative Central Office after a sojourn in the Civil Service. I think his movement into and out of Government service is a good thing.
§ Sir Ian Orr-EwingCan the Chancellor tell us without too much research how many of the 50 extra public relations officers who have been appointed to Ministries come from Labour organisations and how many have now resigned through disillusion?
§ Mr. CallaghanNo records are kept of these matters, except for security purposes, and I think it would be improper to do so. I hope the hon. Member will not revert to the old technique of the Conservative Party in opposition of indulging in the smear and the sneer.