EARL COMPTON (York, W.R., Barnsley)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether it is a fact, as reported in the Press, that C. A. Lowe, a first-class postman attached to the E.C. Post Office, who had completed 17 years' service and was in receipt of 32s. a week, when off duty and in private clothes got into trouble with a policeman and, being charged, was fined 20s.; whether he was further punished by the Post Office authorities by being reduced to the second class, with wages of 23s. a week; whether this reduction is permanent; whether C. A. Lowe's character has been good in the past; and whether there is any precedent for punishing in so severe a manner a Post Office employé who has got into trouble when off duty?
*THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAISES,) Cambridge UniversityThe facts generally are as stated by the noble Lord. It was a question whether Lowe should not be dismissed, but I adopted a more lenient course in reducing him to the second class. Whether he remains permanently on that class must depend upon his conduct in future.
§ *MR. RAIKESReally, Sir, I am not aware whether there are any precedents. I hope there are not many. This man's conduct was extremely bad.
EARL COMPTONMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will make inquiry as to whether the man has been before a Magistrate and punished by him; and whether a Magistrate who punishes a Post Office employé takes into account the fact that he will also be punished in his employment to the tune of something like 11s. a week?
§ *MR. RAIKESI do not think I am bound so to graduate punishments as to make them fit in with the views which any particular Magistrate may hold. I have to look at the conduct of the men, 918 and if I find that a man makes a grossly aggravated assault on the police after behaving in a manner which leads to the suspicion that he is going to commit a burglary, I must severely punish him if I do not dismiss him from the Service.