HC Deb 23 February 1914 vol 58 cc1429-30W
Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the fact that, by a judicial decision delivered on the 16th instant, an hon. Member of this House has been mulcted in a sum of £13,000 at the suit of a common informer for having sat and voted in this House while a member of a private company having a contract with the Government, whereas, shareholders and directors of incorporated trading companies contracting with the Government in their corporate capacity are not affected if Members of this House in their Parliamentary status, the Gov- ernment will consider the advisability of taking steps for the correction of this state of affairs?

The PRIME MINISTER

As I have already stated in the House, the law on this subject appears to me to operate unevenly. I will consider the hon. and learned Member's suggestion.