asked the Minister for Finance if (1) as promised in the Budget he has set up the special machinery to secure new administrative methods in the civil service eventuating in real economies and (2) his expectation of securing in this way £100,000 in this financial year is likely to be realised.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Economies in the Civil Service.
Developments, of which the Deputy is aware, involving issues of a far-reaching character which have taken place since the date of my Budget statement, have precluded the close attention I then contemplated would be given to the matters referred to in Part I. of the Question. Notwithstanding the preoccupations consequent on these happenings, however, three bodies have been set up to inquire into various aspects of matters concerning the Civil Service, one of these bodies being a Commission charged with the task of inquiring, inter alia, into the organisation of the Civil Service, with special reference to arrangements for ensuring efficiency in working. As regards Part II. of the Question, I would prefer, in the circumstances I have indicated, not to commit myself to a more definite statement at present.