HC Deb 10 June 1881 vol 262 cc234-6
MR. MACLIVER

asked the Post- master General, If there is any ground for the complaint that the privileges pro- vided by the Acts of 1868 and 1876 have been withheld from the telegraph clerks; and, whether it is intended to place them in the position to which, according to the opinion given by the Attorney General on the 19th of May, they are legally entitled?

MR. FAWCETT

Sir, in reply to the hon. Member I have to state that, so far as I am aware, no privileges to which the telegraphists are entitled have been withheld from them, nor is it intended that any privileges to which they are entitled should in future be withheld from them. In order to prevent a misapprehension which may arise from the reference contained in the hon. Member's Question to an answer given by the Attorney General some time since, I think it is well to say that I have the authority of my hon. and learned Friend the Attorney General to state that in the answer to which reference has been made he never for one moment intended to convey the idea that the telegraphists were entitled to any legal rights which they have not enjoyed.

MR. LABOUCHERE

asked the Postmaster General, Whether overtime is compulsory in the Telegraph Department; and, whether he will define the legal status, rights, and privileges of the telegraph clerks—those transferred from the Companies; those irregularly appointed; those appointed since the last day of 1876?

MR. FAWCETT

Sir, I think it will be obvious to the House that in the Telegraph Service there must occasionally be an exceptional pressure of work, when, for instance, unusually long Parliamentary debates or important political demonstrations have to be reported. Unless a staff were maintained which for ordinary purposes would be redundant, it is evident that when there is this pressure of work it can only be got through by some of the telegraphists being employed overtime. It often happens that a sufficient number of volunteers are found for the overtime work which is required; but when this is not the case the course which is adopted at the Central Office is to select by ballot the number required to work overtime. In reply to a Question addressed to me on a former occasion, I stated that I was very desirous that the amount of overtime work should be no greater than is rendered necessary by the requirements of the Service; and in order to effect this, among other objects, I have already submitted certain proposals to the Treasury. With regard to the latter part of the Question, I am sure my hon. Friend will see that an inquiry involving considerations of legal status would be most fittingly addressed to the Law Officers of the Crown.

MR. LABOUCHERE

asked the Secretary to the Treasury, When the scheme relating to the telegraph clerks, which the Postmaster General has already stated is in the hands of the Treasury, will be issued?

LORD FREDERICK CAVENDISH

My right hon. Friend the Postmaster General communicated tome unofficially certain preliminary proposals for the improvement of the position of the telegraphists towards the close of last month. I have since been in constant communication with him with the object of arriving at the best settlement of a question which is of great importance, both from the number of persons affected by it and the serious financial considerations involved. I can only assure my hon. Friend that we are anxious to arrive at such a settlement with as little delay as the difficulty and complexity of the subject will allow, and that it is intended by my right hon. Friend to issue the scheme as soon as it is definitely settled and sanctioned by the Treasury. In order to prevent injury to individuals from such unavoidable delay as may still occur, it is proposed that the scheme, when adopted, shall take effect from the 1st of April last.