HC Deb 19 March 1888 vol 323 cc1619-21
SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL (Kirkcaldy, &c.)

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether Her Majesty's Government have yet made any Rules to restrain or regulate the acceptance of other employments by the Civil Servants of the Crown; in case the question is still left to the Heads of Departments, whether any such Rules have been established for the officers serving under the Treasury; whether he or his Predecessors have sanctioned the holding of the places of Director of a large Steam Navigation Company, and Director of another Estate Company, by Sir Alfred Slade, Receiver General of Inland Revenue; and whether regular fully paid Civil Servants are required to obtain any sanction before accepting such appointments?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN) (St. George's, Hanover Square)

Many years ago the Treasury forbade officers on their own establishment to accept Directorships of Companies requiring attendance during official hours, and they subsequently communicated to other Departments their opinion that the practice of holding such Directorships was prejudicial to the Public Service; but no Rule binding on the Civil Service generally has been laid down. Sir Alfred Slade has not broken any Rule of the Service in accepting a Directorship; because the acceptance of such employment has not been formally forbidden in the Inland Revenue. I am not aware that Civil Servants are enjoined to obtain the sanction of their Chiefs before accepting such employment. My own opinion is that the Treasury Rule is a good one, and might, with advantage, be applied to the Departments under its control; and I will communicate with the First Lord on the subject. Whether further Rules should be laid down, and made binding on the Civil Service generally, is a large question, which I understand was considered very carefully by the Government in 1883, without their being able to arrive at a decision. Speaking for myself, I think we should do well to await the Report of the Royal Commission before taking further action in the matter.

In answer to further Questions,

MR. GOSCHEN

said, that the Inland Revenue Office did not come within the Treasury Establishment; but he submitted that how far such. a Directorship would interfere with official duties would depend upon the time which was taken up in the Company's business. He might add, however, that he thought it undesirable that a public servant should become Director of a Company, though each case must come under the Rule of the Civil Service relating to that particular Department. He would inquire whether the Royal Commission considered that this question came within their reference.

Subsequently,

SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY (Lancashire, N., Blackpool)

said, that as Chairman of the Royal Commission on the Public Departments, he might inform the House that they considered it within their province to inquire whether any general Regulation should be framed on this question applicable to all branches of the Public Service.