In Committee of Supply on Tuesday in the Commons Mr.
Hope moved to reduce the salary of the First Lord of the Treasury for failing to act on the recommendation of the Lords' Report on the case of Lord Murray, by issuing instruc- tions to the Civil Service. Mr. Asquith, in reply, observed that Mr. Hope was asking the House to pass a vote of censure on him for refusing to insult the Civil Service. No case had arisen which would warrant the issue of such instructions, and as long as he had the honour to be the head of the Civil Service he would jealously safeguard their honour from any imputa- tions of this kind. Lord Robert Cecil commented on the evasive nature of the Prime Minister's reply, and Major .Archer-Shee provoked an angry scene by contrasting the treatment of Mr. Taylor of the Post Office with the exculpa- tion of Ministers in the Marconi business. The Chairman, Mr. Whitley, having ruled that Major Arcber-Shee was travelling outside the matter in debate, declined to accede to Mr. Lloyd George's demand to be allowed to defend himself against irrelevant charges.
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