§ Mr. H. JONESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether whole-time officers of the Ministry are allowed to undertake work outside their official duties; whether Mr. B. I. Mendham, who has tendered for the preparation of plans and specifications of a housing scheme for the Bar-mouth Urban District Council, is a whole-time superintending architect of the Ministry; whether, since his appointment, Mr. Mendham has also acted professionally for private individuals; and whether he so acted with the knowledge and consent of the Ministry?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe general rule of the Government Service with regard to whole-time officers is that their services are to be at all times at the disposal of the Department by whom they are employed, and professional officers should not undertake private work without first obtaining the specific sanction of the Head of their Department. With regard to the case referred to by my hon. Friend, 1995W Mr. B. I. Mendham is a whole-time superintending architect of the Ministry. He was invited by the Barmouth Urban District Council to state the terms on which he would be prepared to submit plans for a proposed housing scheme, and he did so with the knowledge and consent of the Ministry. He has not at present prepared any plans for the scheme and no appointment has yet been made by the Council. I am informed that Mr. Mendham has carried out no private work of any kind since his appointment to the Ministry, but he has submitted plans for one competition and has advised one or two clients. I may add that the work done for private clients has been in Mr. Mendham's spare time, and has not in any way conflicted with his whole-time duties to the Ministry.