HC Deb 22 May 1911 vol 26 c46
Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Prime Minister if the Registrar-General declines to sanction the appointment of members of boards of guardians as registrars of births and deaths, unless such persons have ceased to be members for twelve months; and whether, in view of the fact that nearly all local authorities agree with the Registrar-General, and themselves prohibit their members either from applying for or accepting paid positions in their service, he will reconsider his decision and ask the House of Commons to adopt such regulations as will ensure its members leading the way in establishing and maintaining the purity of public life by declining to apply for or receive Civil Service appointments whilst Members of the House?

The PRIME MINISTER

No, Sir. I see no sufficient reason for reconsidering this matter.

Mr. LANSBURY

May I ask why there should be a less high standard of social service in the House of Commons than outside?

The PRIME MINISTER

That is a matter of opinion, and, as I have already pointed out, I do not see any analogy between the two cases.