§ Mr. GLYN-JONESasked the Secretary for the Colonies whether any facilities are afforded during office hours to any trader, or association of traders, to obtain orders from, and deliver goods to, members of the staff employed at the Colonial Office; and, if so, will he state the name of such trader or association, and the terms and conditions upon which such facilities are granted?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)A messenger of the Civil Service Supply Association calls periodically to receive orders and deliver the articles ordered by members of the staff who are members of that Association.
§ Mr. GLYN-JONESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these associations are seeking to do a large business in competition with other traders?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must give notice of that question.
§ Mr. GLYN-JONESWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question as to the terms and conditions on which such facilities are granted?
§ Mr. HARCOURTI am not aware that there are any terms, but I will make inquiry.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEAre these articles delivered to members of the Civil Service while they are on duty?
§ Mr. HARCOURTI am not aware, but I will make inquiry if the hon. Member wishes.
§ Mr. GLYN-JONESasked the President of the Board of Education whether any facilities are afforded during office hours to any trader, or association of traders, to obtain orders from, and deliver goods to, members of the staff employed at the Education Department; and, if so, will he state the name of such trader or association, and the terms and conditions upon which such facilities are granted?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Runciman)As a matter of convenience to the numerous members of the staff who are members of the Civil Service Supply Association, a messenger of that association calls daily to receive orders and deliver the articles ordered. A local milkman is also allowed to call for the purpose of supplying members of the staff with milk.
§ Mr. GLYN-JONESWill the Board of Education take any exception to the local education authorities allowing the same privileges to school teachers?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThat would be no affair of ours.
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI must have notice of that question.
§ Mr. GLYN-JONESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any facilities are afforded during office hours to any trader, or association of traders, to obtain orders from, and deliver goods to, members of the staff employed at the War Office; and, if so, will be stale the name of such trader or association, and the terms and conditions upon which such facilities are granted?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)I presume my hon. Friend is alluding to the Civil Service Supply Association. Limited. This association has enjoyed certain facilities, I am informed, ever since it was founded, many years ago, by Civil servants.
§ Mr. GLYN-JONESWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of leaving the matter open to tender?
§ Colonel SEELYI understand this matter affects a number of Government Departments, and perhaps I had better not reply for one.
§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEMay I ask whether this is not a co-operative stores which is so favoured?
§ Colonel SEELYThe same answer applies. I think the matter should be dealt with as a whole.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman, who has always been a protagonist of Free Trade, could not commence with his own office first of all?