HL Deb 20 July 1948 vol 157 cc992-3
LORD LYLE OF WESTBOURNE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

[The question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government what long-term plans exist for a drastic reduction in the present number of civil servants.]

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

My Lords, no drastic reduction in the size of the non-industrial Civil Service can be expected without a corresponding reduction in the duties undertaken by the State. The Prime Minister stated in another place on June 24, 1947, that the size of the Service depends more than anything else on the jobs it is told to do. Its essential tasks include for the time being those rationing and other control schemes which cannot be lifted owing to the continued shortages and to our balance of payments problem. In addition, there is still a considerable volume of transitory post-war work on such matters as the disposal of surplus stores, which makes heavy demands on staff. When these two influences have ceased to operate, there should be a substantial decrease in numbers. In the meantime, His Majesty's Government are determined that the numbers of the Civil Service should not be inflated in relation to the tasks falling on them, and, to this end, are energetically pursuing administrative economies in many directions, particularly by improved organisation and methods, and by intensive training of staff.

LORD LYLE OF WESTBOURNE

My Lords, arising out of that reply, may I ask the noble Lord whether it is not a serious thing in the national economy that there has been an 80 per cent. increase in man-power in the Civil Service, whereas there has been an increase of only 5½per cent. in productive labour? Is it not an appalling load that is being placed upon the country, when 2,000,000 people—that is to say, one-tenth of the total working population of the country—are employed in non-productive labour?

LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTH

I can assure the noble Lord that His Majesty's Government are fully seized of the importance of this matter and that they are taking all necessary steps for the reduction of waste.

LORD LYLE OF WESTBOURNE

I hope they will try.