HC Deb 17 July 1893 vol 14 cc1707-8
MR. BROOKFIELD (Sussex, Rye)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to a speech made by the right hon. the Postmaster General at the annual meeting of the Eastern Central Postal Telegraph Messengers' Institution at the City Temple, on 12th July, when the right hon. Gentleman is reported to have spoken adversely of recent Regulations to encourage telegraph messengers in performing three years' Army service; whether, as Secretary of State for War, those Regulations still have his approval; and whether he is aware of any intention on the part of Her Majesty's Government to revoke them, or alter them to any material extent?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

It rests with the Post Office to determine what should be the conditions of service of those employed under it. I am most anxious to give every facility and encouragement to enlistment in the Army, and would welcome any assistance which the Post Office can give for this purpose. But we must not forget, or do anything to impair, the voluntary character of service in the Army; and there is obviously some danger of affecting that character if service in the Army is made rigidly compulsory as a condition for other service under the Crown. It is, therefore, proper matter for consideration whether the existing Rule is not too rigid; but I hope every facility will continue to be afforded to messenger boys to serve their time in the Army, and that at the conclusion of their service they will be entitled to resume their position under the Post Office.

MR. CREMER (Shoreditch, Haggerston)

I beg to ask whether the Regulations referred to were framed or prompted by the present or late Minister for War; whether it is the practice for the head of one Department to make Regulations concerning the conduct, movements, or discipline of the employés in another Department; how long the practice has existed, and what authority the Minister for War has for interfering with or making Regulations for telegraph messengers?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I think I have already answered the question. I stated that it rested with the Post Office to determine what should be the conditions of service.

MR. CREMER

The right hon. Gentleman has not stated whether the Regulations were prompted or framed by the present or late Minister for War?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

They were framed long before I was Minister for War, so that they cannot have been prompted by me. I cannot answer as regards my predecessor.