BITTER JOUST AT CIVIL SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 126, 21 February 1941, Page 8

BITTER JOUST AT CIVIL SERVICE

British Peer’s Speech TOO SLOW TO GRAPPLE WITH THE WAR

ißy Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) LONDON, February 19.

A slashing attack on civil savants was made in the House of Lords by Lord Perry, who asked, “Arc we compelled to muddle through to victory?”

“The British permanent oflicial believes that second thoughts tire better than a quick decision, and overnight, consideration is better than immediate action,” lie said.

‘•The recruitment of this illustrious body of men seems to get young men whose ceiling of ambition is short hours and little work in mediocre surroundings, and no responsibility, with the knowledge that he is in a ‘cushy job’ for life and there is nobody who will discharge him except death, nobody to promote him except death, and if death is kind by the quick removal of his seniors lie may get £3OOO a year witli the Order of the Bath before he retires on half-pay at 00. •‘To take no responsibility is the keystone of the Civil Service. The intrusion of a business man disturbs the restful procrastination which is tile Alpha and Omega of life at Whitehall; but the new power of holding the destinies of tens of thousands of auxiliary workers intoxicates the permanent oflicial. The administration is cumbersome, procrastinating, short-sighted, and opportunist, swathed in forms, ceremonies, and red tape. ‘Done Nothing Worth While.” . ••Such a body is at a serious disadvantage in attempting to grapple with modern warfare. Apparently the preservation of the old-type machine is of greater importance than its output and efficiency. “Can a swing-over to war production be complete and permanent as long as the executive of the Government is entrusted to men who by inclination and by training are opposed to everything that disturbs their serenity? I have seen much and heard a great deal more of the conduct of the nation’s affairs in these trying times. I know nothing worth while and worthy which the civil departments have done since the outbreak of the war.”

Lord Simon replied: ‘‘lt is not true that civil servants have done nothing worth while. That is unfair. Special directions require that every department shall take every step to avoid administrative delay. It is impracticable to institute an inquiry into all these matters in the middle of war."

“CRITICISM DESERVED” LONDON, February 19. The "Daily Mail,” in a leader, says: “Lord Perry did not speak harder than the Civil Service deserves, livery word was justified. Our administrative system may serve well in peacetime, but it is too slow, too timid, and too obstructionist to keep pace with the all-devouring speed of war. To hurt the feelings of the Civil Service is a small thing beside the great issues of life and death. There is a growing feeling that the Civil Service has too long enjoyed immunity from criticism."