§ SIR THOMAS CHAMBERScalled attention to the subject of Civil Service trading, and moved for a Select Committee to inquire into the matter. He was encouraged to do so by the reception which previous Motions had met with from the House. The Civil Service Supply Association turned over per annum £1,000,000; the Army and Navy Co-operative Society, £500,000 per annum; the Haymarket Association, £750,000; and, altogether, more than £3,000,000 was received and turned over every year by such associations in the metropolis alone. It was obvious, therefore, that they were diverting trade from ordinary retail channels. The question, therefore, was whether it was co-operation in the fair sense of the word, or whether it was a gigantic system of joint stock trading. He maintained it was the latter—
Notice taken, that 40 Members were not present; House counted, and 40 Members not being present,
§ House adjourned at a quarter after Twelve o'clock