§ MR. ARTHUR WILLIAMS (Glamorgan, S.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether it is a fact that he has issued a, Circular containing the following Regulations with respect to meetings held for discussion of official questions by telegraph and Post Office servants outside Post Office buildings:— 1411
- "1. That ample notice be given to the local Post Office authorities that such meeting will be held, and where;
- "2. That the meeting will be confined to Post Office servants, and to those Post Office Servants only who are directly interested in matters to be discussed;
- "3. That an official shorthand writer is present if required by the authorities;
These Rules apply both to telegraphic and Post Office servants. Should any meeting be held hereafter in respect to which the foregoing conditions are not complied with, those who take part in it will be held strictly responsible for the breach of the Rules;and whether there is any precedent for such restrictions upon the right of telegraphic and Post Office Civil servants to meet and discuss questions affecting their position and interests?
§ *MR. RAIKESIt is the fact that a Circular has been issued to the effect stated by the hon. Member. At least, one precedent I can mention and that within the Post Office itself; for until this Circular was issued the Rule, as it has existed for nearly a quarter of a century, was absolutely prohibitory. As I stated only yesterday, the Circular is in relaxation and not in restraint.
§ MR. A. WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Gentleman lay on the Table the exact terms of the Rule which prohibits these meetings?
§ *MR. RAIKESYes, Sir; I have no objection to do so, if the House desires it.
§ MR. A. WILLIAMSI beg to give notice that I will take an early opportunity of calling attention to the subject, with the view to asking the House to affirm the undoubted right of Civil Service employés to discuss their grievances free from official intimidation or interference.