HC Deb 14 May 1906 vol 157 cc202-4
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donogal, S.)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he was aware when he consented to retain the services of the right hon. Sir Horace Plunkett, a Member of the late Government, in the ministerial position of Vice-President of the Board of Agriculture and Technical Instruction in Ireland, Sir Horace Plunkett was holding the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of John Bowes and Partners, Limited, a company formed in 1886 to acquire the property and collieries of the firm of the same name, and was also holding the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Pelton Steamship Company, Limited, a company registered on May 3rd, 1899; whether Sir Horace Plunkett became a director of these companies before or after his appointment in 1899 to the Vice-Presidency of the Agricultural and Technical Instruction Department; on what dates, respectively, was he appointed to the chairmanship of these companies; does he still hold the position of directors or of chairman in these companies or either of them; and, if so, whether, having regard to the practice of the present Government, which precludes the union of the office of Minister of the Crown with that of company director, and the long established practice absolutely prohibiting members of the Civil Service from being directors of public companies, the retention by Sir Horace Plunkett of these directorships, or either of them, is compatible with his retention of the position of Vice-President of the Board of Agriculture and Technical Instruction in Ireland.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Sir Horace Plunkett is not a Minister of the Crown or a member of the permanent Civil Service, and does not come within the rule referred to in the Question. The position he holds is temporary and therefore different considerations apply.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

When will this unique political freak be done away with?

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

My hon. friend knows that the matter is being inquired into, and that it is not a matter to be settled in a day.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Why is Sir Horace Plunkett so specially favoured? Why is he allowed to retain his appointment and his directorships, having been appointed by one Government and retained by another?

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

He may be very fortunate; but I have explained why Sir Horace Plunkett retains his directorships. It is because he comes in another category, to which this rule does not apply.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Under which category does he come?

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Under the Plunkett category.

MR. SLOAN

Are his services retained because he is specially qualified for the position?

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

No, Sir. Not because he is specially qualified above all other possible people. But it is desirable that some more permanent and convenient arrangement should be made with regard to the office, and in the meantime ho carries on the work.