§ MR. FINIGANasked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether, in the event of the Treasury issuing an order in accordance with the suggestions contained in his reply to the deputation on Civil Service Stores, it is intended to make such order apply to the Civil Servants who now use their leisure time in the management of these stores; and, if so, whether it is intended to compensate these gentlemen for the loss of a large portion of their incomes, they having infringed no existing regulation of the Service?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAIN,in reply, said, he was still in correspondence with the members of the deputation of traders who saw him on the subject; and until that correspondence was completed he was unable to lay their wishes before the other Members of the Government or to make any statement as to the intentions of the Government in reference to the subject. But, speaking for himself, he must say he thought the active management by Civil servants on full pay of great commercial undertakings, though nominally confined to their leisure time, was not comtemplated when the conditions of employment were settled; and he was of opinion that the acceptance of such responsibilities under the circumstances was exceedingly prejudicial to the public interest. He would not be inclined to recommend compensation if it were thought desirable to discourage such occupation.
§ MR. FINIGANasked whether the right hon. Gentleman had given the opinion of the Government or only his own on the Question he had put?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINhad stated distinctly that he expressed his personal opinion only.