HC Deb 11 July 1890 vol 346 cc1474-5
MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)

I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether 70 established clerks in the Savings Bank Department sent him, on the 5th of June last, a Memorial objecting to their being placed in the Second (or Lower) Division of the Civil Service; whether, no reply having been sent them, they forwarded another Memorial on the 3rd of July, to which no reply has been received; whether, notwithstanding these protests, he has presented the names of these officers to the Civil Service Commissioners for appointment to the Second Division; and when they may expect a reply to their Memorial?

*THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES,) Cambridge University

The facts stated by the hon. Member are substantially correct. The clerks to whom he refers were appointed to the "second," not the "lower" division—no "lower" division exists—on April 16 last, and the arrangement is one which, in my opinion, is beneficial to their interests. It would not, in my judgment, be compatible with the public interest to take these officers out of the Second Division, and, after this answer to the hon. Member's question, I hope that no further reply to the Memorials wilt be necessary.

MR. PICKERSGILL

Is it not a most unusual thing for the head of a Department not to send a reply to a Memorial couched, so far as appears, in proper terms?

*MR. RAIKES

The matter has been explained more than once.

MR. PICKERSGILL

Is it the usual course?

*MR. RAIKES

I do not think it is unusual.