Government Efficiency: Sir Philip Greens’ Report

Debate between Lord Sugar and Lord Taylor of Holbeach

Thursday 14th October 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Sugar]

My Lords, using his own words, Sir Philip says that his findings are nothing more than “common sense”, and I absolutely agree with him. He has produced a very good report in the short period of time he had to do it in. But does not the noble Lord agree that it is time to centralise buying and to bring in some kind of head honcho from the private sector who knows what they are doing and pay them the right amount of money, which they would be paid in a large organisation? If you do that, you will end up paying someone a rather exorbitant amount of money that is many multiples of what the Prime Minister earns. However, Sir Philip did admit, in another of his famous statements in the report, that if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. [Laughter.]

A noble Lord: You’re fired!

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

I think the noble Lord is seeking from me the phrase “You’re hired”, but I fear that is not within my gift. The Government intend to take these proposals forward and the Efficiency and Reform Group is dealing with these matters. There are opportunities: for example, the telephone bill across government is £2 billion. At that level it will be worth the Government buying their own capacity within the telephone service. I am sure that that is the kind of decision the Government will pursue.