§ 35 and 36. Mr. Moonmanasked the Lord President of the Council (1) whether, to ensure greater effectiveness and efficiency of the House of Commons, he will move to set up a Select Committee of Members from all sides of the House with experience of operational research and other management sciences:
§ (2) if he will appoint consultants from outside the House of Commons, with a view to ensuring greater effectiveness and efficiency of the House.
§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Herbert Bowden)There is no need to set up a Select Committee since the functions proposed are already carried out by the Select Committee on House of Commons (Services) which can, if it wishes, call upon expert assistance within or outside the House. An O. & M. study of the work and staffing of certain departments in the House is at present being conducted.
§ Mr. MoonmanWould not my right hon. Friend agree that there is an important need to improve both the quantitative and the qualitative aspects of the services in the House, which are not covered by the present study? Will he use his influence with the Prime Minister to ensure that he is able to get an invitation to the forthcoming National Productivity Conference?
§ Mr. BowdenPerhaps my hon. Friend will address his second question to the Prime Minister. With regard to the first point, I think that the House of Commons 425 Services Committee is adequate to deal with this, but it can call for outside experience and representation if it wishes.