§ MR. WILES (Islington, S.)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Post Office servants may take a part in the elections and may become candidates for, and serve on, all municipal bodies other than county councils; what is the reason for this distinction; and whether, in view of the forthcoming county council elections, the existing prohibition in regard to county councils will be removed.
§ THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON, Tower Hamlets, Poplar)I have considered the question of withdrawing the prohibition which at present exists against Post Office servants taking a part in the elections, or being candidates for, or serving on county councils while they are allowed to participate in these matters in regard to all other municipal bodies. It is difficult to see any valid reason for differentiating in these matters between county councils and other municipal bodies. I, therefore, propose to abrogate the prohibition. At the same time, I desire to make it clearly understood that this liberty of action must in no way interfere with Post Office duties; and, further, that when the duties connected with any of these municipal bodies interfere with the efficient personal performance of his duty as a Post Office 349 servant, the officer concerned will be required to retire from the body to which he has been elected or from the service.