gone on with the press figuratively, and often literally, in the offices and at our sides. We soon got used to this rather novel experience for civil servants. There is no doubt that this wide coverage has made the accept- ance of C.D.O.s by the public and departments much easier than it would have been had we not had this help.
106. We have attempted to look at the public coverage of C.D.O.s' activities through the eyes of ordinary people in order to see what image was emerging. At first there was a concentration on personal cases. This is not surprising for if the C.D.O. has had only a day or a week to get under way it is only possible to take immediate action in some types of personal cases. We were aware that purely social public engagements were not only liable to be a waste of time and exhausting but also to create a sort of play-boy image. C.D.O.s have therefore declined much hospitality offered in good faith and thus, I fear, they may have occa- sionally given offence. It has not however been possible to decline to attend many functions sponsored by private bodies. These are often im- portant occasions for the organization, and even though the ceremony may be formal and the speeches of no great significance the leaders will usually have worked closely with the C.D.O. and be genuinely anxious to have his presence to officiate or as a guest. To such functions the press is always invited and while publicity includes some account of the useful work that has been done these occasions are essentially celebrations and a time for relaxation. If these were the only occasions on which C.D.O. work was reported an impression of idleness could easily be given.
107. It has therefore been our aim to draw more attention to com- munity efforts in which C.D.O.s have been involved and to secure good coverage of occasions when departmental officials have been explaining their work. We should like to give more information about personal cases but people often prefer not to have their problems publicized even anonymously.
108. In all this we have had great help from the Information Services Department which has included, since 1967, a small unit of officers seconded from the S.C.A. These are men who have had experience in my department, know the personalities and many of the public we meet but who work as part of the Information Services Department. The unit spends a good deal of time covering C.D.O. activities from within I.S.D. and this arrangement is working well.
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