§ MR. LABOUCHEREI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that Mr. W. H. Preece, the chief electrical engineer at the Post Office, is in the habit of taking private practice in electrical work; and whether, in view of the fact that he is a Civil servant in receipt of an annual salary, this is in accordance with the Rules of the Civil Service?
MR. HENNIKERHEATON (Canterbury)Before the right hon. Gentleman replies to the question of my genial but misinformed friend, I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is aware that Mr. Preece has a high European reputation as an electrical specialist, that he could command double the salary he now receives from the Government if he would devote himself exclusively to private practice, and that in the work he now does in his spare moments for the furtherance of electrical science he is rendering substantial service to the community?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONThe case of Mr. Preece is exceptional. Before he entered Her Majesty's Service twenty-two years ago he held certain paid employments besides his appointment as Engineer of the Electric Telegraph Company. Those employments he relinquished as being incompatible with his appointment at the Post Office; but, with the knowledge of the Department, he has continued to advise on great electrical questions outside of his regular duty, he being an expert of the highest standing. Such advice has been generally afforded to Public Bodies. For instance, in the lighting of the House of Commons, of the British Museum, the Dublin Museum, and the principal cities. His action in this respect has been quite public, and his Reports have been published. 1443 As an Electrician of European eminence he takes part in the development of electrical science. I am informed that he never turns to any work, other than Departmental, during office hours, without special permission. But his official work is by no means confined to those hours. It is performed unsparingly early and late, and even on Sundays. As I have said, his case is altogether exceptional and cannot form a precedent.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREI should like to ask if Mr. Preece received separate fees for the assistance he rendered in connection with the electric lighting of the House of Commons?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONI think it is highly probable that he did, and that he has also received separate fees for the assistance he has given to various Public Bodies.