Lord Runciman's Directorships On Tuesday Mr. Chamberlain was questioned in
the House of Commons about the directorships held by the Lord President of the Council, Lord Runciman. The rule that Cabinet Ministers should not hold directorships has been established for the most obvious reasons ; Lord Runciman's present position throws them into the sharpest relief. He is, for instance, a director of the L.M.S., though without emolument and " on leave of absence "; the L.M.S., with the other railway companies, is pressing for a " square deal," and when he leaves the Cabinet Lord Runciman will resume the normal position of a director. Again, he is a director, " ex officio " as president of the Runciman lines, of the Moor Line, which, under the Tramp Shipping Act, receives a subsidy from the Government. In all he holds seven director- ships ; two of these are in private companies. The Prime Minister's attitude in the House of Commons was distressing to the Government's best friends ; if there is a rule that Cabinet Ministers should not hold directorships, then Cabinet Ministers should not hold directorships, and quibbles about the particular kind of directorships they do hold are unedify- ing. It is not clear of what services the Cabinet has been deprived during Lord Runciman's absence in Australia, or what are the particular duties he is to resume on his return. But there clearly ought to be a resignation either of the directorships or of the Lord Presidency.
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