HC Deb 08 November 1949 vol 469 cc106-7W
Mr. Sharp

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many officers have passed through the organisation and methods training course this year.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Two hundred and one, of whom 160 were employed by Government Departments.

Mr. Sharp

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the present size of the organisation and methods staff, other than clerical, in each of the Government Departments with a separate organisation and methods branch; and how many in each have passed through the organisation and methods regular training course.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

The numbers are as follows:

— Number of Staff Number passed through Training Course
Treasury 83 75
Admiralty 14 10
Agriculture 12 12
Air Ministry 17 15
Customs and Excise 15½ 13
Food 18 16
Foreign Office (German Section) 5 5
Fuel and Power 10 8
Inland Revenue 16 14
Labour and National Service 14½ 12
National Assistance Board 5 5
National Insurance 38 33
Pensions 6 4
Post Office 49 41
Supply 22 17
Trade 23 20
Transport 8 5
War Office 21 18
Works 15 13
TOTALS 392 336

Mr. Sharp

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what main recommendations have been made by the Government Organisation Committee since April, 1949; to what extent these have been implemented; and what main inquiries are now in progress.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

Since April, 1949, the committee has concluded several inquiries, including that into civil building work for the Service Departments which I mentioned in my reply to my hon. Friend on 5th April. The committee recommended the establishment of an interdepartmental works committee for the co-ordination of building programmes, the forward planning of agency services, and the exchange of information. Steps are now being taken to set up this committee.

A number of inquiries are still in progress, but as I told my hon. Friend on 13th July, 1948, the main purpose of the Government Organisation Committee is to ensure that the work of overhauling the machinery of Government is carried on effectively. This is a continuous process which does not lend itself readily to itemised description.

If any important changes affecting the House or the public result, they will be announced.