HC Deb 23 March 1967 vol 743 cc1891-2
3. Mr. Ridley

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if outside management consultants have examined the work of his Department.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State, for Economic Affairs (Mr. Harold Lever)

No, Sir.

Mr. Ridley

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree upon the vital importance of his Department's setting a very good example where it is pronouncing on over-manning and bad productivity in industry as a whole? If he thinks that the D.E.A. is efficient, which many people do not, would it not be better to prove it by allowing an outside firm to comment upon the level of manning and efficiency within it?

Mr. Lever

The desire to oversee overseers is a respectable antiquity, but the particular method proposed in this case is not appropriate.