§ 11. Mr. Sheldonasked the Minister for the Civil Service what steps he has taken to introduce the principle of management by objective into the Civil Service.
§ Mrs. HartA system of management by objectives has been introduced in one area of the Ministry of Defence, and three other projects have been started. The subject is included in central and departmental training programmes, and a special training course for practitioners will start in the autumn.
§ Mr. SheldonI congratulate my right hon. Friend on that very encouraging reply. May I ask whether she has studied the booklet published by Centre for Administrative Studies which shows how the scheme can be extended into a number of other Departments?
§ Mrs. HartYes, Sir. I have seen it, and with great interest. I assure my hon. Friend that pilot schemes will continue to be mounted to the maximum extent that available resources permit. We are very anxious to pursue this.
§ Mr. David HowellWill the right hon. Lady accept that to some of us that reply is not at all that encouraging? Is she aware that the key to management by objective is the employment of more qualified people, particularly accountants, in the Civil Service to identify and cost objectives? How many more accountants have been employed by the Civil Service in recent months?
§ Mrs. HartI refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer that I gave last time I was subjected to Questions, because that gave the full details of the information that he requires. What I think hon. Gentlemen opposite accept and realise is that if we are to make a good job of implementing Fulton it must be done with the greatest care and in a way which ensures that no mistakes are made along the road. To some extent that is compatible with speed, to some extent it is not.