§ 50. Mr. W. J. Brownasked the Minister of Supply whether his Director-General of Regional Organisation sought and obtained his permission before becoming a member of the Conservative and Unionist Party organisation's subcommittee on industry; and whether he approved the pamphlet, "Work—The Future of British Industry," of that subcommittee before his Director-General of Regional Organisation subscribed to it.
§ Sir A. DuncanThe subject matter of the report that the hon. Member signed, had nothing whatever to do with his duties in the Department.
§ Mr. BrownCan we take it from that answer that any civil servant is free to sign any report he likes dealing with Government policy, providing always that it does not deal with the particular piece of governmental work on which he himself is engaged? If so, that means a complete departure from the existing practice.
§ Sir A. DuncanI do not mean any such departure at all. We are speaking now of a Member of Parliament, and in respect of a Member of Parliament there clearly must be less restraint on public matters.