§ 29. Mr. Formanasked the Minister for the Civil Service if he is satisfied with the co-ordination provided by his Department with regard to the total numbers employed and the total cost of the various public bodies for which his Ministers are responsible.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisYes, Sir.
§ Mr. FormanIs the Minister aware that his Department is apparently unable to answer global questions of that kind? Is he further aware that this is a situation which must be rectified, in view of the fact that there are no fewer than 2 million people employed by these public bodies? The Minister is responsible for 304 public bodies, at an estimated annual cost to public funds of £2½ billion.
§ Mr. MorrisIt may well be that there is some merit in the suggestion that there should be greater co-ordination, but greater co-ordination involves more civil servants, and if this is the line and tackle on which the hon. Gentleman puts his case, let him say so clearly.
§ Mr. MaddenCan the Minister tell us how many of these public bodies were established by the previous Conservative Government? Will he confirm that there are a considerable number not least regional health authorities and regional water authorities, which sucked in a considerable number of civil servants to whom the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues opposite are now objecting?
§ Mr. MorrisMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. During the period of the last Administration there was no reluctance to establish public bodies.
§ Mr. FormanIs the hon. Gentleman aware that all I was saying was that, in respect of the Civil Service Department, one of his responsibilities should be to add up the numbers available from other Whitehall Departments?
§ Mr. MorrisThe Civil Service has no difficulty adding up the numbers in that regard.