§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)I desire to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the unfortunate state of affairs 1489 existing in the Post Office, he will not appoint a Committee, departmental or otherwise, to inquire into the grievances of the men?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHAlthough the condition of affairs is unfortunate, and although the Government very deeply regret that a number of most valuable public servants should have placed themselves in a wrong position, they think it would not be for the public interest that the responsibility of the head of the Office should be interfered with under circumstances of this character by the appointment of a Committee.
EARL COMPTON (York, W.R., Barnsley)Might not this matter be referred to the Royal Commission on the Civil Service?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHThe Commission is not now sitting, and it was not constituted with a view to dealing with questions of a character such as this. I trust the House will maintain the responsibility of the heads of Public Departments and call them to account if, in their judgment, they think they have done wrong.
§ MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)I wish to ask the Postmaster General whether he has received a letter from Mr. George Shipton in respect to the dispute now going on in the Post Office; whether his answer, as published in the Daily News, is correct; and whether, in view of the disorganisation of the Service, to the great inconvenience of the public, he will consent to receive from any other quarter representations of the real grievances of which the men complain?
§ *MR. RAIKESI have not seen the Daily News, but I perceive that the answer to Mr. Shipton is correctly given is several of to-day's newspapers. I have nothing to add to the statements therein made.
§ MR. CONYBEAREI should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, although he has nothing to add to his letter, he will be willing to accept the intervention of a Member or Members of this House who might be authorised by the postmen to introduce a deputation to him personally, in order that he may personally receive the views of the men?
§ *MR. RAIKESI have had the pleasure of receiving a deputation of postmen to-day, who, I think, are much 1490 better judges of their own affairs than the hon. Gentleman opposite.
§ MR. HOWELL (Bethnal Green, N.E.)May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the letter received by him from Mr. Shipton was not a letter authorised by the Representatives of the Post Office?
§ *MR. RAIKESI have no knowledg about that. I received a letter from Mr. George Shipton, who, I understood, represented a body called the London Trades Council.
§ MR. CONYBEAREIn consequent of the unsatisfactory character of the right hon. Gentleman's answer, I beg to give notice that I shall ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House. ["Oh!"]
§ Subsequently,
§ MR. CONYBEAREsaid: I beg to ask the Postmaster General what was the result of the deputation of postmen?
§ *MR. RAIKESI was waited on by a deputation of some of the postmen of the East Central district. They put before me various points, which I promised to consider after carefully listening to them, and I explained to them various matters as to which, up to the present time, I think they have been imperfectly informed. I think the interview is likely to lead to very good results, but in the circumstances of the case I do not think I should be justified in laying details of the conversation before the House on the present occasion.
§ MR. CONYBEAREIn view of the reply of the right hon. Gentleman, Sir, which is of a very much more satisfactory nature than his previous one, I do not feel I should be justified in trespassing upon the time of the House with a Motion for the Adjournment.