Mr. EDMUND HARVEYasked the Prime Minister whether the terms of reference of the forthcoming inquiry into appointments in the Civil Service will include the case of temporary boy clerks and boy messengers?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)The Prime Minister is unavoidably absent. There is no intention of excluding this subject from the consideration of the Commission.
§ Mr. KINGasked the Prime Minister whether it is a tradition of the Civil Service that in making appointments and promotions political opinions are not inquired into; and whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to take a new departure by inquiring what political views were held by public servants at a date anterior to their appointments?
§ Mr. McKENNA (for the Prime Minister)The tradition is as stated by the hon. Member, and His Majesty's Government do not intend to depart from it.
§ Mr. KINGMay I ask what is the meaning of the Return in the name of the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition, or whether it is intended to grant that Return?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt is intended to grant that Return, but as to the precise meaning that the right hon. Gentleman himself attaches to the language the hon. Member had better inquire from him.
§ Mr. KINGWill the right hon. Gentleman also grant the Return standing in the name of the hon. Member for North Somerset?