§ Mr. John Pageasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many different types of printed forms are used in his Department for internal 117W 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. Scott-HopkinsThe Ministry uses about 2,700 different types of forms of which some 1,650 are used only within the Ministry. The vast majority of the remainder are the particular concern of relatively small groups of farmers, manufacturers and food traders. The bulk of these forms do not appear in the List of Standard Books, Forms, etc.
§ Mr. John Pageasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, 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. Scott-HopkinsThe Ministry has had its own Organisation and Methods Branch since 1945 and it is employed in improving efficiency and reducing manpower where this is compatible with efficiency. This Branch obtains advice and training, when necessary, from the Treasury Organisation and Methods Division and needs their agreement when introducing or effecting major changes in the mechanisation of office procedures. The Ministry has been an extensive user of punched card equipment since 1954 and computers since 1958, and also makes the fullest use of dictating, audio-typing, photocopying, dyeline reproduction and addressing equipment and keeps abreast of modern techniques, all of which have contributed to substantial staff savings. The Ministry has not employed outside management consultants and I see no need to do so in the future.