§ MR. COWAN (Surrey, Guildford.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the case of Frederick Farrington, an excise officer of Guildford, who has been transferred to Glasgow by the Board of Inland Revenue, as a punishment for contravening Paragraph 1150 of the general instructions (which prohibits membership of any political association), by taking part in certain political meetings at Guildford during February last; whether he is aware that various officers of the Inland Revenue Department are members of a political association known as the Primrose League; and whether he proposes to take similar disciplinary measures against such persons, or whether he will take steps to have the regulations so amended as to enable Parliamentary electors to enter 699 the service of the Crown without forfeiting their elementary political rights.
§ MR. ASQUITHYes, Sir, I am aware of the case referred to by my hon. friend. If the attention of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue is drawn to any similar infringement of their instructions, no doubt they will take similar action.
§ MR. SNOWDEN (Blackburn)Will the right hon. Gentleman say where any authority is given to impose such restriction?
§ MR. ASQUITHUnder the Statutes.
§ MR. SNOWDENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in 1870 the Lord Chief Justice Coleridge stated that there was no right or authority to impose any such restriction?
§ MR. ASQUITHI was not aware of it, but I will look into the matter.
§ MR. WATT (Glasgow, College)Does the right hon. Gentleman accept the insinuation in the Question, that being sent to live in Glasgow is recognised as a punishment in the Department?
§ MR. ASQUITHPerhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of that Question.
§ MR. ASQUITHI will consider the question of the amendment of the regulations.