HC Deb 13 November 1884 vol 293 cc1595-6
MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR

, referring to an answer given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer earlier in the Sitting, asked the right hon. Gentleman, Whether objection to Sir W. Gurdon, as Clerk at the Treasury, being a candidate for Parliament, or delivering political addresses, was confined to officers of the Treasury and the Excise and Customs, or to the whole of the Civil servants; and, if so, what were the grounds upon which the Treasury sought to curtail the Common Law rights as citizens of members of the Civil Service?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)

My answer referred to the particular question of the candidature of Sir W. Gurdon, and I stated that his candidature for Parliament was inconsistent with his position as a Civil servant. More than that I did not say. The hon. Gentleman has asked me rather a long Question some time after my answer. If he wishes for further information, I must ask him to put the Question on the Paper.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

I wish to know whether Sir W. Gurdon has given up his candidature, or whether he is to be allowed to go on with it?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)

I do not think the hon. Member could have been in the House when I gave the answer to this very question quite distinctly.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

I beg the right hon. Gentleman's pardon. I distinctly heard what he said, and I think he might give me a more courteous reply.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)

I am sorry my reply to the hon. Member did not please him. What I stated was that Sir W. Gurdon, having performed certain acts of candidature which I described, has been informed that his acts of candidature were inconsistent with his position as a permanent officer of the Civil Service. I added that I had no doubt he would arrive at a proper decision on the matter, and I said we should very much regret his leaving the Treasury.

MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR

gave Notice that on Monday he would ask the right hon. Gentleman, Whether the Government held that a member of the Civil Service was, by the mere fact of his service, precluded from taking any part in the public life of the country and from attending and addressing public meetings?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)

I will answer that Question at once. A member of the Civil Service is not debarred from the ordinary functions of an elector.

MR. CALLAN

gave Notice that he would ask the right hon. Gentleman to-morrow, whether there was any precedent for an officer of the Inland Revenue being instantly suspended for issuing an address to a constituency?

MR. HICKS

desired to know when the intimation was sent to Sir W. Gurdon?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)

I should like to have Notice of that Question.