§ 129. Mr. Charles Smithasked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made by the Organisation and Methods team which set to work 13 months ago in the Post Office Savings Bank; what are the major points which they have so far examined; what changes there have been in their terms of reference; on how many matters have they yet reached a sufficiently advanced stage to put proposals to the staff side of the Savings Department Whitley Council; and how long it is now estimated it will take to complete the task assigned to them.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingThe Organisation and Methods Working Party have practically completed the first stage of their investigation, consisting of the examination of the present organisation and procedure. During the course of the examination they have made a number of experiments in sorting methods on which the Staff Side of the Savings Department Whitley Committee have been consulted. The thorough study of the system is a necessary preliminary to the second stage in the Working Party's assignment, namely, to consider the future organisation as a matter of long term policy with particular reference to further mechanisation. I cannot say when the Working Party are likely to finish; but it will be some months before they can reach any definite Conclusions. There have been no changes in their terms of reference.