MR. GORSTasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he will lay upon the Table a Circular recently addressed by the Board of Inland Revenue to officers serving in that Department, 1430 prohibiting them from communicating on matters affecting their official position with their representatives in this House?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)Yes, Sir; I find that about two months ago a General Order was issued to their officers by the Board of Inland Revenue on the subject of the solicitations addressed to Members of Parliament to obtain for them increase of salaries, advancement in the Service, or other advantages. This Order was founded on two Treasury Minutes embodying the well-understood Rules on this subject, those Minutes having been issued in 1866 and 1867 by Boards of Treasury taken from each side of the House. If the hon. Member will move for these Minutes and for the General Order, and also for an Admiralty Order of 1869 on the same subject, he shall have them as an unopposed Return. Perhaps he will speak to me as to the words of the Motion.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS),in reply, said, that it was issued before he had succeeded to the Office he now held, and he, therefore, could not answer the Question. He would, however, inquire.