HC Deb 26 May 1927 vol 206 cc2166-8
56. Mr. R. MORRISON

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether any of the chief architects in the Commissioner's Department accept commissions in their professional capacity from individual persons or private firms; and, if so, whether he will take steps to prevent these civil servants from engaging in private practice in the future?

Captain HACKING (for The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS)

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; in reply to the second part of the question, the First Commissioner is not prepared to prohibit such work entirely as he considers that the interests of the Department are sufficiently safeguarded by the fact that the acceptance of such commissions is only allowed on the express conditions that:

  1. (1) The work must not be undertaken during official hours.
  2. (2) Name plates must not be fixed on outside offices or private residences.
  3. (3) The use of official premises in connection with private business is not allowed on any conditions, even after official hours;
and on the clear understanding that they must not interfere with the proper execution of Departmental duties.

Mr. MORRISON

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think it would be far better if the Government would pay some attention to the curtailing of this practice of civil servants accepting large commissions from private enterprise—that it would be better for the Government to pay some attention to stopping this practice rather than interfering with the trade union activities of civil servants?

Mr. A. HOPKINSON

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman of opinion that an architect carrying out a contract of one or two million pounds can devote his proper attention to his duties as a civil servant.

Captain HACKING

If it were the opinion of my right hon. Friend that he was not able to perform his duties to the Government, he would not be allowed to accept these commissions.

Mr. HOPKINSON

Is the Chemical Trust to have the use of any civil servant it wants?

Captain HACKING

It is very difficult to curtail a man's duties when they are carried out in his own private time. We really have no right to interfere with the private time of any individual.

Mr. HOPKINSON

Is that principle to apply to all civil servants?

Mr. MORRISON

Does the hon. and Gallant Gentleman think that an architect who is a full-time employé of the Government has sufficient spare time to undertake the architectural work for a million pounds contract?

Captain HACKING

Yes, Sir, I do.

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