HL Deb 17 July 1941 vol 119 cc880-1
LORD DAVIES

My Lords, I beg to ask the first question standing on the Paper in my name.

[The question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will consider the desirability of issuing a regulation to the effect that no person engaged in an executive, administrative or consultative capacity as a servant of the Crown may be the recipient of remuneration from any source other than His Majesty's Government.]

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, there are a number of regulations governing the extent to which civil servants may receive remuneration other than their ordinary salary or may engage in outside activity. I am sending to my noble friend copies of two examples of these, Treasury circulars 5/28 and 4/40. The present regulations are designed to secure not only that the public interest should be fully safeguarded, but also that no ground should be afforded for suspicion of impropriety. I do not think that a regulation in such general terms as are suggested is necessary or desirable.

LORD DAVIES

My Lords, arising out of that reply, may I ask whether the regulations apply to persons who have been taken into the Civil Service since the war, and who are not permanently civil servants?

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

Yes, I think that is so. If my noble friend will look at the circular dated 24th February, 1940, he will find that in its first paragraph it discusses conditions which in time of war should govern the appointment to posts in Government Departments of persons holding responsible positions in outside industry.