HC Deb 17 January 1924 vol 169 c297W
Mr. H. MORRISON

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the report of an interview with Sir Henry Maybury respecting London traffic questions, published in the Press on the 22nd December, 1923, wherein this official is represented as discussing Government intentions and policy on controversial public questions, and as referring critically to the so-called extremists of the Labour party; and whether he will inquire into the matter and, if the report of the interview is found to be accurate in substance, call the attention of this official to the rules which prevent civil servants giving public expression to their views on political matters?

Lieut.-Colonel MOORE - BRABAZON

The paragraph referred to by the hon. Member appeared in one edition of an evening paper, but was withdrawn in subsequent editions without any request from my Department. Opinions were erroneously attributed to an official who had stated that he was unable to add anything to the information of the intentions of the Government which had already been given to this House. I received a full and courteous apology from the editor of the paper concerned. The latter part of the question does not arise.