§ MR. HOWELL (Bethnal Green, N.E.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he is able to inform the House as to his answer to the Petitions of the London postmen, "Zone 1," forwarded to him in April last; and whether he can now consent to restore the good conduct stripes to those postmen who were deprived of them two years ago for violating the rule of the Department which prohibits postmen attending outdoor meetings to discuss their grievances?
§ *SIR JAMES FERGUSSONIt has been determined to increase the maximum of the wages of these postmen from 32s. to 34s. a week. The answer to the other points of their Petition will be promulgated immediately. The question of restoring good conduct stripes to the postmen who have broken rules in this and other respects is being considered.
§ MR. HOWELLI would press the right hon. Gentleman on this point. It is a long time since this violation of the rules occurred.
§ *SIR JAMES FERGUSSONI have for some time had under consideration the propriety of restoring good conduct stripes to men who have lost them for various offences; but in a large Service one has to be very careful, in taking such a step in individual cases, to consider how far it will reach. I shall, however, lose no time in dealing with the cases.