HC Deb 10 February 1969 vol 777 cc862-3
10. Mr. David Howell

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will set up a regular system for reporting to the House of Commons on savings being achieved in the administrative structure of government, consequently upon the implementation of the main proposals of the Fulton Committee Report.

Mrs. Hart

My right hon. Friend announced on 21st November, 1968, that there will be regular progress reports, in connection with the Fulton recommendations, and more widely. The exact form, content and frequency of publication of these reports is still under consideration, but they will provide an opportunity to cover the kind of points raised by the hon. Member. I hope, however, he will be content to await the first report; savings, where possible, take time and effort to develop.

Mr. Howell

I recognise that, but will the right hon. Lady recognise that the prevailing assumption that the costs of Government activity must inevitably go on rising is quite unacceptable, and will she take urgent steps to see that the Departments have cost-reduction targets and savings targets, and will she ensure that reports on these are made to the House so that we know that administrative efficiency is going forward?

Mrs. Hart

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await the first Report. In terms of ceilings on costs, what the hon. Gentleman said as being unacceptable does not seem to be shared by some of his colleagues opposite, who continually demand fresh expenditure by the Government.

Mr. Dalyell

Will the progress reports include the industrial Civil Service?

Mrs. Hart

They will include the question of the industrial Civil Service in so far as it seems to be completely relevant. I think it more likely that the Reports will be concerned primarily with the non-industrial Civil Service.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Will the right hon. Lady explain why the Government are always exhorting industries and institutions to prune staffs, including even the Bank of England, by bringing in McKinsey's, an American company, to do this, and yet they do nothing to prune staffs within their own Department?

Mrs. Hart

I do not think the hon. Gentleman can be aware of the very considerable step which was taken by the Government last year in making a commitment that the ceiling of the Civil Service set in the Financial Secretary's Memorandum of last March would be strictly adhered to during the financial year 1968–69. That was a great step forward in recognising the matter.