§ MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick's)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether civil, military, and naval officials are allowed to use their leisure in working Co-operative Stores, and the said stores are permitted a lighter system of Income Tax Returns than that accorded to ordinary business firms; and whether the Government intend to propose a measure which will prevent officials, paid by the State, from taking part in the management of such Societies?
§ *SIR J. T. HIBBERTCo-operative Stores, like those known as Army and Navy and Civil Service Stores, are not treated more favourably in the matter of Income Tax than ordinary business 635 firms. With regard to the remainder of the question, so far as it affects the Civil Service, I can only say that I am not prepared to recommend an alteration of the existing Rule on the subject, which I quoted on Monday from the Orders in Council relating to the Civil Service. I cannot answer for the Military and Naval Services.
§ MR. FIELDWill the Government have any objection to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the whole question, which is one of vast importance to the commercial community?
§ SIR J. T. HIBBERTThe matter has been fully considered by the Ridley Commission, and the late Government upon their Report came to the conclusion that it would not be desirable to interfere with the actions of Civil servants after office hours were over.