§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether Sir Alfred Slade, 186 of the Inland Revenue Department, while serving as such, has been not only a Master in the Grand Council of the Primrose League, but also Vice Chairman, and member of the General Purposes Committee and of the Finance Committee; and, whether this brings him within the Departmental Rule against being member of a Political Association?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)Sir Alfred Slade, as a Trustee of some of the funds of the Primrose League, is ex officio a member of the Committee of the League; but I am informed that he has abstained from taking part in any of the proceedings of the League which would lead to an infringement of the Rule laid down by the Inland Revenue Department for its officers—namely, that they are to abstain from taking part in, or speaking at, any public political meeting. I may add that it is the duty of the Government to see that every officer of the Department complies absolutely with the conditions laid down.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORI wish to know, whether it would be perfectly competent for any member of the Civil Service, in this or any other Department, to belong to the Home Rule organization without incurring censure from his official superiors so long as he does not take part in a public meeting?
§ [No reply.]
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORI will renew that Question to-morrow.