§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment in the light of the evidence in the book entitled "Your Disobedient Servant" by a former senior civil servant, Mr. Leslie Chapman, of maladministration, neglect and deliberately wrongdoing by the Civil Service, what action he has taken or intends to take to deal with these matters; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ShoreI do not accept that the Question fairly reflects the situation.
Mr. Chapman left the Civil Service on 31st December 1973. His book is written on the basis of his personal appreciation of events which took place some years ago. The Property Services Agency itself was only established in 1972, and since then there have been significant developments in its management. Its operations are kept under constant scrutiny, and as part of this process, a management review is at present examining the Agency.