HC Deb 18 February 1918 vol 103 cc475-6
43. Sir J. D. REES

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, if he will state what has been the result of his inquiry into the question of the position of officers of the Welsh Insurance Commission who are also members of the university college council of Cardiff?

The COMPTROLLER of the HOUSEHOLD (Sir Edwin Cornwall)

I find that the secretary of the Commission has never been a member of the committee referred to in the question, and that he resigned his membership of the council last autumn, on realising that his- duties at the War Cabinet made it impossible for him to render useful services to the council. The acting secretary had resigned his membership of the committee before my inquiry reached Cardiff, and had taken no part in the discussion of the subject upon the only occasion on which his colleague's name had been mentioned in connection with the principalship.

Sir J. D. REES

Will they be allowed in future to occupy such positions, when the hon. Gentleman has to explain that they did not avail themselves of the opportunities they had; or will they be allowed in future to be able to take such action as to require the hon. Gentleman's apology or explanation?

Sir E. CORNWALL

I have given the hon. Member certain information. I have not apologised, and I make no apology in regard to these officers. So far as I know they are not occupying any position which is contrary to the public interest.

Sir J. D. REES

May I withdraw the word "apology" if the hon. Member objects to it, and ask whether it is intended in future that those officers should or should not be members of other bodies, which membership exposes them to this charge, however ill-founded?

Sir E. CORNWALL

I do not think they are exposed to any charge. The hon. Member has asked me for information, and I have given him the information, and the public interest in no way suffers or is likely to suffer from any action which has been taken.

Sir J. D. REES

Will they or will they not be allowed in future to occupy a position like this?

Sir E. CORNWALL

I see no objection to their occupying the position which they now occupy.