§ Q3. Mr. Onslowasked the Prime Minister whether he will set up an inquiry into the organisation and efficiency of the Civil Service.
§ The Prime MinisterI have, Sir.
§ Mr. OnslowWhile welcoming the fact that the Prime Minister has already yielded on this point, may I ask him whether he will assure the House that this inquiry will not be used as a pretext for putting off necessary reforms and reductions? Will he also assure us that there is nothing in the terms of reference of this inquiry which preclude the speedy setting up of specialist Parliamentary committees?
§ The Prime MinisterThe second point raised by the hon. Gentleman goes far beyond this Question. It is a matter which has been considered by the various bodies of the House concerned with this question. I did not yield to anybody. I announced the setting up of the inquiry as soon as I was ready. I had been working on the matter for some time.
§ Mr. HeathDoes the Prime Minister still adhere to his oft-repeated remark that we have the best Civil Service in the world, or does he share the views, published today, of his Parliamentary Private Secretary condemning the British Civil Service outright? If he does not share those views, will he now repudiate them?
§ The Prime MinisterI could see that question formulating in the right hon. Gentleman's mind. I stand exactly by what I have said on a number of occasions. What I have been wondering since we came to power is why this superb Civil Service machine was so badly used by right hon. and hon. Members opposite.