Colonel Sandeman Allen:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in the instructions to civil servants concerning removals there has appeared a recommendation that the rail way should be chosen for the removal; and will he issue instructions to all Government Departments that there should be no restriction of choice of removal contractors?

My hon. and gallant Friend would appear to have been misinformed. Civil servants compulsorily transferred from one part of the country to another are required to submit three competitive tenders in writing for the removal of their furniture, one of the tenders being from a railway company if the distance of transfer is 60 miles or more. Officers may accept whichever tender they choose, but payment from public funds is restricted to the amount of the lowest tender save for good reasons to the contrary.

Colonel Sandeman Allen:

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one civil servant was offered a free railway ticket for his daughter provided that he took the railway tender?

I am not aware of that.