§ 66. Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will initiate a comparative study of the pressure of work on civil servants in the various Government Departments; and what information is already available on this matter.
§ The Minister of State, Privy Council Office (Mr. Richard Luce)Each Department is responsible for monitoring the work load of its staff and exchanges information as to how these issues can best be handled. I can assure my hon. Friend that Ministers and senior civil service managers attach great importance to making sure that work loads are right, and not excessive. Civil servants have responded well to the demands made on them as part of our drive to increase efficiency and achieve better value 755 for money. I am glad to take this opportunity of paying tribute to the hard work and dedication found in all Departments.
§ Mr. TaylorI agree absolutely with what the Minister has said about the character and calibre of the British Civil Service, but does he agree that there are some disturbing indications that the volume and pressure of work—for example, on staff dealing with DHSS problems—have reached an alarming level, especially in view of the increased volume of work and the problems in preparing for the social security review? Is there not a case for a comparative study to see whether there is a need for more resources, especially for DHSS staff dealing with the general public?
§ Mr. LuceThere is constant monitoring of the work load of civil servants in all Departments to see how they can cope with the work load, but there is flexibility in the Government's policy. My hon. Friend will be aware that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has announced that an extra 5,000 civil servants will be recruited to the DHSS to help cope with the extra work load. There is flexibility in the Government's policy where work loads appear to be excessive.