HC Deb 12 October 1943 vol 392 cc738-9W
Mr. Keeling

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, in which Departments have man-power or efficiency committees of civil servants been established; and in which Departments is it proposed to establish them?

Mr. Assheton

Collaboration with the staff is provided for in the Civil Service by the Whitley system, which is in operation throughout the Service, and all Departments have been asked to make full use of their Whitley machinery in dealing with internal man-power problems. I am not aware how many Departments have chosen for their joint arrangements the titles referred to by my hon. Friend, and, as he will appreciate, it would be misleading to imply that effective action is limited to those who have. Circumstances vary between Department and Department, and whether in a particular case the problem is best dealt with by the appointment of anad hoc joint committee, or by other means, is for the Department concerned to decide.