§ MR. WOOTTON ISAACSON (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)I beg to ask the Postmaster General when and by whom, the inquiries were made into the characters of the 57 discharged postmen who had been in the Service from three to 30 years; and whether their characters were found to be satisfactory in every respect; and, if so, when does he intend to reinstate them, considering they have been out of employment since last June?
§ MR. RAIKESThe inquiries were made by my self in those quarters in which alone authentic information could be obtained. Many of the dismissed postmen bore good characters; but, having regard to the extreme gravity of their offence—an offence as grave as any that a public servant can commit—and the imperative necessity of discouraging any similar misconduct in future, I regret that I do not feel justified in holding out any hope that they can again be employed by the Department. If the hon. Member will refer to the answer given by me to him on July 14th last, he will see that I then intimated that considerations of the public interest must, govern my decision in these cases.
§ MR. W. ISAACSONOwing to the very unsatisfactory answer I have received from the right hon. Gentleman, I beg to give notice that I will call attention to the subject on the Post Office Estimate.