§ 3.7 p.m.
Lord CAMPBELL of CROYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans for changing the system of qualification, by open examination, for the Civil Service, or for extending the permitted period of five years for service by temporary civil servants.
§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Lord Peart)My Lords, the Civil Service Commissioners, who are responsible for recruitment to all permanent Civil Service appointments, believe that the present arrangements for preserving the principles of fair and open competition are satisfactory. They invite applications for such appointments by public advertisement, to ensure that all those who are eligible under the regulations have an opportunity to compete. As regards the five-year limit on short-term appointments, the Government, in pursuance of their belief that special advisers should become an accepted feature of administration, have begun to explore appropriate ways of ensuring that they will not be required to resign at the end of five years' service.
Lord CAMPBELL of CROYMy Lords, in view of that reply, for which I am grateful, may I ask whether there was any basis for the article on the front page of The Times a week ago, stating that the Prime Minister had issued instructions to devise a scheme for a new class of senior civil servant to be appointed by ministerial patronage? While at present there exists the scheme of special political advisers under the five-year rule, a proficient and professional Service depends upon open competition supervised by the Civil Service Commission. Is the noble Lord aware that our system of recruitment, and our tradition of loyal service to Governments of every complexion, are envied by the rest of the world?
§ Lord PEARTYes, my Lords, I accept that, and it is not the Government's intention to ever interfere with that. We accept that. But, as the noble Lord knows, from time to time special advisers have been used by both Conservative and Labour Governments. We will preserve that traditional policy.
§ Viscount MONTGOMERY of ALAMEINMy Lords, would not the noble Lord agree that exchanges between industry and the Civil Service, both at home and overseas, have been of great benefit? Would he agree that this is something which should continue to be encouraged and even indeed facilitated by Government Departments?
§ Lord PEARTYes, my Lords.
Lord CAMPBELL of CROYMy Lords, I realise that it may be a delicate matter for the noble Lord to reply to my supplementary question, but is he aware that the report in a newspaper stating that the Prime Minister had issued these instructions is somewhat different from mere consideration of the five-year rule?
§ Lord PEARTNo, my Lords; the rôle of special advisers is a matter which is being looked at. There is no doubt about that. After all, one should not always take into account what is in a special paper outside.
Lord CAMPBELL of CROYMy Lords, will the noble Lord give an assurance that, before any such schemes are embarked upon, there will be an opportunity for the matter to be fully discussed by Parliament?
§ Lord PEARTMy Lords, it is important to remember that any change affecting the Civil Service is also a matter for the Civil Service unions. We should always consult them regarding any specific changes. But this system has been working for a long time and we shall have to examine it.
Earl FERRERSWhat was the answer to my noble friend's question, my Lords? Would it or would it not be considered by Parliament?
§ Lord PEARTIn the end, if Parliament so wished, of course it would be, my Lords. However, I see no reason at the moment for saying we will have a debate or anything like that. This is being looked at carefully, as it must be, by responsible Ministers.