HC Deb 15 May 1905 vol 146 cc286-7
MR. BENN

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that during last year the Holborn Borough Council spent £1,200 in opposing Bills affecting London, and that Messrs. Bircham and Co., Parliamentary agents to the borough, paid to the late town clerk, unknown to the Holborn Borough Council, 33⅓ per cent. commission of all profit charges on such business; and whether he will take steps to extend the provisions of the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act, 1889, to such payments.

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I am informed that the expenses referred to in the first part of the Question approximated to the sum mentioned. It is stated in a letter from Messrs. Bircham & Co. published in the Press that they never held any appointment or retainer from the borough council, but that for some eighteen years past they had undertaken for Mr. Jones (the late town clerk) on "agency terms" certain work in connection with Parliamentary business, and that under this arrangement they made certain payments to him. The question of any extension of the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act, 1889, is hardly one for the Local Government Board, but I may remind the hon. Member that the Prime Minister stated on Thursday last† that payments of this description are now engaging the attention of the Lord Chancellor and the Chairman of Committees in the House of Lords, and also of the Incorporated Law Society.

MR. BENN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Messrs. Bircham's bill was paid in full by the Holborn Town Council and that the money which Jones received was received secretly by him and without the knowledge of the council? If so, is not this a matter coming under the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR:

It may be so, but I am not prepared to say "Yes" or "No." It would not be a matter for the Local Government Board, but rather for the law officers of the Crown.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

The right hon. Gentleman says Messrs. Bircham had long done business on "agency terms." What is the meaning of that phrase?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I said that was the statement made to me in a letter from Messrs. Bircham.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

But the right hon. Gentleman adopted it.

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I am not well acquainted with the facts. I simply conveyed to the House the information given to me.