§ 28. Mr. Molloyasked the Minister for the Civil Service if he remains satisfied with present Whitley procedures on all matters affecting the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisI am satisfied that the Whitley system in the Civil Service is as good an industrial relations system as anywhere in the country. The system has developed and improved over the past 50 years or so in response to changing circumstances and I have no doubt that this process of evolution will continue.
§ Mr. MolloyIs my hon. Friend satisfied that the current structure of Whitley 22 Councils is flexible enough to take account of the growing industrial elements within the Civil Service and some of the problems that are created by the increase of industrial employment within it, as well as some other elements? Does he believe that the system is sufficiently flexible to take account of all these matters?
§ Mr. MorrisAs a former civil servant, I can tell my hon. Friend that the Whitley system of joint consultation was established and introduced in 1919 as a framework to secure the greatest measure of co-operation between the State, as employer, and its civil servants in matters affecting the Civil Service. The essence of the Whitley system of joint consultation is flexibility. I am confident that it will be equal to the burdens that have recently been imposed upon it.