HC Deb 31 October 1957 vol 575 cc111-2W
Mr. Ramsden

asked the Secretary of State for War to make a statement on the progress of the Committee on Works Services.

Mr. Hare

Hon. Members will recall that in October of last year my predecessor set up a committee to review the arrangements for deciding on and carrying out works services at home and abroad. This committee, under the chairmanship of Lord Weeks, has submitted a most valuable Report designed to speed up building, increase efficiency and save staff. In broad outline this Report has been accepted. The Report recommends a new civilian works organisation combining technical, administrative and financial responsibility for the planning, execution and control of works services. A feature of this organisation is that it is headed jointly by a Director General of Works and an Assistant Under-Secretary of State, who will be responsible to the Quartermaster-General and to the Permanent Under-Secretary of State. I am going ahead with the formation of the new organisation. In particular I am proceeding with the appointment of the two heads so that they can be fully associated with the detailed implementation of the Report.