§ MR. FENWICK (Northumberland, Wansbeck)asked the Postmaster General, Whether the Regulation prohibiting Civil servants from taking active part in contested Parliamentary Elections applies also to the election of County Councillors?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)Although I do not think it is desirable for Post Office servants to undertake duties which are likely to involve them in Party contests of any description, it has not hitherto appeared necessary to debar Postmasters, who do not give their whole time to the Public Service, from membership of Town Councils. As regards the election of County Councillors, I have come to the conclusion, after consultation with my Colleagues, that the Rule prohibiting officers of the Post Office from taking an active part in contested Parliamentary Elections must be held to apply to the election of County Councillors. I am further of opinion that no Post Office servants should themselves be members of a County Council. Such membership is likely to involve frequent, and perhaps prolonged, absence from their posts of duty.