§ Major ARCHER-SHEEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the services of the chief electrical engineer have been lent to the Leeds Corporation; and, if so, why this gentleman's services can be spared, in view of the Admiralty statement that it was not desirable that they should undertake the erection of wireless stations as they cannot spare their staff?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe circumstances referred to had not been previously brought to my notice. I am informed that the services of the superintending electrical engineer have not been lent to the Leeds Corporation, but that he has accepted an invitation unofficially to give an opinion on certain points connected with their electrical undertaking on which the advice of an impartial expert was desired. The acceptance by a servant of the Crown of employment such as this, which does not interfere with the performance of his official duties, is not actually prohibited by the Regulations. The position of scientific experts in the service of the State presents special features, and I1212W see no reason to interfere with the arrangements made in this particular case. At the same time I have given instructions that in future the consent of the head of the Department must be obtained by an officer before undertaking any service of this character.