Organisation and Methods

HC Deb 25 March 1964 vol 692 cc125-6W

Mr. John Page

asked the Minister of Labour how many different types of printed forms are used in his Department for internal and external use, respectively; and whether all these forms are included in the List of Standard Books, Forms, etc., for use in the Public Service published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

Mr. Godber

My Department uses 699 types of printed forms for internal purposes and 504 for external use. Most of the forms are used in connection with the specialist services undertaken by my Department. Of the printed forms 51 and 3, respectively, are included in the List of Standard Books, Forms, etc., for use in the Public Service published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

Mr. John Page

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he has taken to improve efficiency and reduce manpower by reorganising his department with the help of the Treasury Organisation and Methods Section; what use his department makes of outside management consultants; and what such action he is proposing in the near future.

Mr. J. Godber

My Ministry (like a number of other Departments) has its own O. & M. Branch which is equipped to carry out planned reviews of the Department's staffing and activities. The Department also draws on the Treasury for the training of O & M. staff, including officers allocated to A.D.P. projects. In addition, it makes use of information and advice circulated by the Treasury on general O. & M. problems, and it received guidance from the Treasury in preparation for the purchase and installation of its computer.

In view of these arrangements, there has been no occasion to engage outside management consultants; nor does it seem likely at present that such an occasion would arise.