§ MR. STEWART MACLIVERasked the Postmaster General, If it is true that a telegraph Clerk has been suspended without pay for a fortnight, on the ground that he had made a speech (which he was not allowed sufficient time to explain or justify) at a meeting of telegraphists; and, whether, in future, Post Office employés are to be debarred from meeting and discussing their affairs under similar penalties?
§ MR. FAWCETTThe telegraphist in question, according to the report of a speech of his in the newspapers, had charged his superior officers with official favouritism; and when called upon to correct the report or else to substantiate the charge, he at first declined to do either the one or the other; and afterwards offered to substantiate, if a fortnight were given to him for the purpose. I considered that in making a public charge of such grave delinquencies without being in possession of proof of its 715 correctness he bad committed a very serious offence; and I accordingly suspended him for a fortnight without pay, as indicated in the Question of my hon. Friend.