§ Mr. W. Brownasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he can give an assurance that all persons employed in the Civil Service in Press and Public Relations positions who previously held posts with advertising concerns have relinquished all financial interests in those concerns?
§ Mr. AsshetonI have been asked to reply. The principles regulating the appointment to posts in Government Departments during the war of individuals with interests in outside industry, etc., are set out in a Treasury Circular, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. Every individual with active business interests to whom it is proposed to offer official appointment is required to state fully and precisely the extent of his business interests and the degree to which he proposes to retain them after appointment. The employing Department must then consider whether the retention of these interests is compatible with the official duties to be assigned and whether it is practicable or desirable to lay down any particular conditions as to the conduct of these duties. As circumstances vary greatly from case to case, no fixed rules can be laid down and it is the responsibility of employing Departments, in the light of the general principles set out for their guidance, to satisfy themselves on any particular case.