§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Prime Minister whether, in the event of a Civil servant being invited to contest a constituency for Parliament, leave of absence, without pay, would be granted?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)The answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to make any statement as to the result of the Cabinet Committee's deliberations on the subject of political activities of Civil Servants; and would a Post Office servant be permitted to run as a candidate for the London County Council in March, 1910?
§ The PRIME MINISTERIn accordance with my undertaking, the Government have carefully examined the question of the participation of Civil servants in politics. They regard the integrity and impartiality of the Civil Service in political matters as an essential feature of the British constitutional system; and it is, in their opinion, of the highest importance that no action should be taken that would 1178 shake public confidence in this respect. They therefore consider it undesirable that Civil servants should take a prominent or active part in party politics. As regards the question of participation by Civil servants in local government, the Treasury Minute under which they are precluded from becoming candidates for county councils will be cancelled; and each Department will be left to make its own rules on the understanding that any duties involved shall not conflict with duties to the Department. I understand that, as regards the Post Office, no distinction will in future be drawn between county councils and other municipal bodies.
§ Mr. SNOWDENIs it the intention of the Government to issue amended regulations with regard to the participation of Civil servants in politics?
§ The PRIME MINISTEROh, no; as regards the general question, the existing system remains. The latter part of my answer was confined to participation in local government?
§ Mr. SNOWDENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a certain branch of the Civil Service, members are allowed to take part in national politics? Is he aware that in the Post Office, service organisations are affiliated to national political bodies with the cognisance of the Department?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is another matter.
§ Mr. E. A. GOULDINGWith regard to the suggested alteration in regard to the Civil Service in reference to county council elections, how can the right hon. Gentleman hope Civil servants will keep their integrity if they are allowed to take part in county council elections in London, where both sides are really party organisations?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAt present they take part in borough council elections, and I am not aware that there is any rigid line of demarcation between borough and county council elections.