§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether the notice signed by the Controller, and dated 7th July, which was published in the Pall Mall Gazette and other papers, on Tuesday last, was issued with his knowledge and sanction; and, if not, how it happened that an important notice purporting to contain his orders to the employ°s generally was issued without his knowledge and sanction?
§ *MR. RAIKESI had no knowledge of the notice to which the hon. Member refers, and, therefore, could not have sanctioned it. Notices in the name of the Postmaster General are necessarily often issued which he has not previously seen. In my absence on Sunday last the authorities of the Post Office only discharged their duty in issuing the notice in question, which has my entire approval.
§ MR. CONYBEAREMay I ask whether, in view of the apology which was posted by the Controller in the Post Office relating to a resolution supposed to have emanated from the E.C. district postmen, which the right hon. Gentleman read to the House on Monday, he is now prepared to make any correction of the statement which he then made?
§ *MR. RAIKESI have no correction to make in the statement, because I read it to the House exactly as I received it. It appears that the Controller who forwarded it to me was under a mistake as to the body from whom the resolution emanated. I only wish that the Controller's first impression had been a correct one.
§ MR. CONYBEAREIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Holloway district this morning no letters were 1305 delivered and no collection was made until 1.30 p.m., and whether it is a fact that in the E.C. district work has been suspended; whether at the Leicester Square Parcels Office 72 men have been dismissed at a moment's notice, for declining to sign an agreement binding themselves not to strike; whether it is a fact that 50 supernumeraries, or additional hands, are now employed there, how many of these the right hon. Gentleman has employed in the Post Office, and how many police he has employed to look after them?
§ *MR. RAIKESI must ask for notice of the hon. Member's questions as to matters of detail; but in order to re-assure the public mind, I may state that the defections which took place at Leicester Square Parcels Office have been more than filled up, and that applicants for the work have had to be turned away. I understand that the postal delivery has been proceeded with in the East and Holloway districts, but, of course, in the peculiar circumstances of the case, not with the usual regularity.
§ DR. TANNERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the traffic in Leicester Square has been considerably obstructed owing to vans remaining outside the Post Office there uncared for?
§ *MR. RAIKESNo, Sir; I have no information to that effect.
§ MR. CONYBEAREAre boys, usually earning 7s. a week, employed as letter carriers?
§ No answer was given.