HC Deb 23 March 1905 vol 143 c974
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he will consider the advisability of the introduction of legislation for the purpose of extending the provisions of the statutes disqualifying contractors with Government Departments from election to the House of Commons, and from sitting and voting therein to directors of incorporated trading companies contracting with Government Departments in their corporate capacity.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I do not propose to introduce any legislation on this subject.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if a Member of this House has the smallest contract with the Post Office or Stationery Office he must leave it?

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

gave notice of the following Resolution, and said he was sure the Leader of the House would give him a day for it: "That, in the opinion of this House, the time has come for the extension of the provisions of the statutes of disqualifying contractors with Government Departments from election to the House of Commons, and from sitting and voting therein, to directors of incorporated trading companies contracting with Government Departments in their corporate capacity. "