§ MR. MACDONALD (Tower Hamlets, Bow)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether, considering that telegraph clerks were permitted, between the years 1870 and 1890, to meet, without official interference, outside Post Office buildings for the purpose of dis-discussing their grievances, he will revert to the system that prevailed before 1890?
§ MR. A. MORLEYMy hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. The Rule of 1866 prohibited Post Office servants from holding meetings for the discussion 1479 of official questions beyond the walls of the Post Office buildings. This Rule, although it was not strictly enforced, applied to telegraphists as well as to other branches of the Service. In 1890 the Rule was relaxed, and permission was granted to all Post Office servants under certain conditions to hold meetings for the purpose mentioned outside the Post Office buildings.