HC Deb 19 March 1897 vol 47 cc1025-6
MR. A. S. T. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWEN (Kent, Tunbridge)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether his attention has been called to the fact that several prominent officials of the Post Office were present at a banquet given on 12th March by the National Telephone Company; whether similar occurrences have taken place on previous occasions; and whether Post Office officials are permitted to be present at entertainments given by a Company which holds a licence from the Post Office, and upon the efficiency of whose services the Post Office may from time to time be called upon to decide?

MR. HANBURY

The facts are as stated by my hon. Friend, except that the banquet was not given by the Company, but by the staff. In taking the course alluded to the officials in question were following the usual practice of the Department. The question, however, of the desirability of Government officials attending on occasions of this kind is one undoubtedly requiring consideration. ["Hear, hear!"]