Theory question 105
Civil Service(a) What is civil service?
(b) Explain the structure of the civil service.
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(a) The body of permanent, paid officials employed in government ministries and departments (excluding the armed forces, police and political officers) who advise ministers and carry out government policy.
(b) Structure (classes, from top):
1. Administrative class: permanent secretaries and directors; advise on and formulate policy.
2. Executive class: implement policies and supervise day-to-day work.
3. Professional/technical class: specialists such as doctors, engineers, lawyers.
4. Clerical class: keep records, files and accounts.
5. Manual/sub-clerical class: messengers, drivers, cleaners.
The service is hierarchical: each ministry is headed by a permanent secretary under a minister, with a Head of Service at the top.
For (b) name each class and say briefly what it does.