48. Mr. F. HALLasked the Prime Minister if he will consider as to extending to the English Civil Service and also to Ministers of the Crown the regulation of the Colonial Service which prohibits all salaried public officers, whether or not their whole time is at the disposal of the Government, from speculating in the shares of or being connected with any company, occupation, or undertaking which might bring their private interests into real or apparent conflict with their public duties, or in any way influence them in the discharge of their duties?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI see no reason to define more exactly the general rules which govern such matters and which are well known to all who serve under the Crown.
Mr. F. HALLMay I ask why it has been necessary to make those regulations with regard to officers serving under the Colonial Office?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThey have been in existence for a great many years. I do not know exactly the circumstances under which they came into existence.