MINISTERS’ SHARES

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 257, 14 July 1926, Page 9

MINISTERS’ SHARES

COMPANIES CONTRACTING WITH GOVERNMENT DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS LABOURS DEMAND FOR INQUIRY REFUSED The House of Commons rejected a Labour motion for the appointment of a Select Committee to consider how far a Minister may be associated with a public or private company in contractual relations with the Government. By Telegraph.—Press association. CoPyhigHi (Rec. July 13, 7.10 p.m.) London, July 12. In the House of Commons Mr. A. Henderson (Labour) moved the appointment of a select committee to consider how far a Minister may be associated with a public or private company in contractual relations with the Government. Referring to Mr. Neville Chamberlain’s directorship tn Hoskins and Sons, Mr Henderson said that when the question was raise din 1906, the defence of Mr. Joseph Chamberlain was the smallness of his investment in the concern. Such a defence could not be made to-day. Somerset House returns showed that Mr. Neville Chamseven Government contracts had been berlain held 2395 of the total of 5000 sares in Hoskins and Sons, to which seven Government contracts had been given during the life of the present Government. During the eight months of the Labour administration the firm received only one. Moreover, the Elliotts Metal Company, of which Mr. Nelville Chamberlain was the largest shareholder, had received fourteen Government contracts. He added, in fairness to Mr. Neville Chamberlain, that the latter had resigned his directorship when he accepted a post in the former. Conservative Government, and also, in the present Government. The position was unsatisfactory and anomalous, and required to be clarified. He disclaimed any intention of imputing personal corruption or censuring anyone. The Prime .Minister (Mr. Baldwin) said the question really was whether the practice of twenty years should be modified, or a Minister holding private Interests should sell out. Either course presented fresh difficulties. He had come to the conclusion that the safest thing would be to “lend your money to the Soviet Government.” The only course open to a Prime Minister seeking for a Minister was to advertise: "Wanted, a foundling, without relations, and penniless.” In view of the attack upon his colleague, he intended to vote for the amendment Lord Hugh Cecil had previously moved, to the effect that "while the House is willing to inquire into the established rules governing the subject, which all the present Ministers have always strictly observed, it declines to accept an inquiry as a concession to an organised campaign of calumny and insinuation which the facts do not justify.’’ After further debate, in which Labour members urged the need of an inquiry and Ministerialists denounced the alleged campaign oi calumny, Mr. Henderson’s motion was rejected by 341 votes to 95, and Lord Hugh Cecil's amendment was adopted by 341 votes to 98.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable- Assn.