§ Mr. BENNETTasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the appointment of a Committee to investigate Civil Service administration in all Departments, and to report on the best method of simplifying it without impairing its efficiency?
§ The PRIME MINISTER:I share my hon. Friend's view as to the importance of efficiency in public administration, but I doubt the advantage of the procedure which he suggests. While of course resort may on occasion be desirable in the future, as in the past, to specific orad hocinquiry, it is my conviction that as one of his most responsible duties the Prime Minister of the day should watch and examine continuously and from within, with all the assistance he can command, the working of the machine of Government. This method, though in no way spectacular, is in my judgment, best adapted to secure organic development, and I can assure my hon. Friend that the problem is receiving my unremitting attention.