HC Deb 16 February 1914 vol 58 c581
50. Mr. DENMAN

asked the First Lord of the Treasury what steps, in view of Sir Sydney Olivier's speech on armaments last autumn, have been taken to uphold the principle that Civil servants shall take no public part in current political controversy?

The PRIME MINISTER

Sir Sydney Olivier's attention was called to the rule which obtains in the Civil Service. No steps of a general character have been taken nor do I think any necessary, as the rule is well understood, and I may say almost universally observed. The principle falls within the scope of the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service which is now sitting.

Sir W. BYLES

But was this a political matter at all?

The PRIME MINISTER

Well, we thought it better to draw attention to the rule.