The Ministry of Works

Under the most prosaic of titles the Ministry of Works hid a range and variety of functions of extraordinary fascination. The provision of buildings for scientific research and the care of ancient monuments both fell within its duties. Of necessity the Ministry included in its staff a great variety of professions and occupations.

Originally published in 1956, this volume provided a fine, comprehensive account of the functions of a great department of state. In many ways this Ministry constituted a large-scale business undertaking. On a wide range of tasks, from the colourful organisation of state ceremonies and maintaining the Royal Parks to the provision of all official accommodation and furniture, it spent large sums of public money.

Sir Harold Emmerson (1896–1984), who served as Permanent Secretary to the Ministry from 1946 until 1956 begins with a broad survey of the varied work of his former Department. He then sketches its history and describes in turn the various main functions and the manner in which they are to be carried out. After summarising the general organisation of the Ministry, both at Headquarters and in the regions, and considering some of the problems of management which arise, he concludes by emphasising the variety and interest of its work and the way in which its staff, drawn from so many different backgrounds, professions and occupations, work as a single team.

It is reissued here alongside his previously unpublished memoir Masters and Servants: A Career in the Civil Service written in 1978.