§ 45. Mr. MANDERasked the Prime Minister the constitutional practice with regard to members of the Government being prohibited from engaging in private business; and whether this applies equally to private partnerships, directorships of public and private companies, doctors, accountants, solicitors, and other professions?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs regards directorships, the rule was laid down by Sir Henry Campbell - Bannerman, in answer to a question on 20th March, 1906, in the following words:
The condition which was laid down on the formation of the Government was that all directorships held by Ministers must be resigned except in the case of honorary directorships, directorships in connection with philanthropic undertakings, and directorships in private companies.This rule has been observed by all subsequent Governments, and is still in force. As regards the other activities, no necessity has ever arisen to supplement with specific rules the traditional standards of public life in this country.