§ 48. Mr. MOREINGasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware of the existence of a body styling itself the Government Staff News Association, purporting to be established on behalf of the interests of the Civil Service staffs, and that the secretary of this association has taken upon himself to answer by letter a question addressed by a Member of this House regarding the staffing of the Admiralty, and to explain in that letter the necessity of increased staffs in that Department, and alleging to give the considered opinion of the Board of Admiralty on the matter; whether the association has any official sanction; and, if not, whether he will take steps to prevent associations of this kind from attempting to influence Members of Parliament?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am aware of the existence of this body and my attention has been drawn to the letter referred to in the second part of the hon. Member's question. The association has no official sanction, and I need hardly say that I should strongly deprecate attempts 249 on the part of any such association to interfere with Members of this House in the exercise of their duty.