§ MR. EVELYN CECILTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is aware that Captain Lloyd, till very lately one of His Majesty's inspectors of explosives, has accepted a seat on the board of Messrs. Curtis and Harvey; and whether, having regard to the opportunities which an inspector of explosives has of obtaining the most intimate confidential knowledge of the methods and plant of rival manufacturers of explosives, he will take steps, by agreement or otherwise, to make it a condition that inspectors of explosives who are appointed in the future shall not accept such engagements, at least within a reasonable time after they have left His Majesty's service.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) It is the fact that Captain Lloyd has accepted a directorship in Messrs. Curtis and Harvey's. The suggestion mentioned in the last paragraph of the Question has been put before me by the leading manufacturers of explosives. It appears to be reasonable, and I propose to adopt it in future appointments, including the appointment just made to fill the vacancy caused by Captain Lloyd's retirement.