§ MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the superintending engineer at Manchester Post Office is prohibiting his staff from wearing their union badge as a chain pendant, or displaying it on non-official clothing; and whether this action has been authorised or sanctioned.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.) A rule prohibiting the wearing of private badges on uniform has for long been in force, and I am of opinion that it is desirable to apply the same rule in the case of officers who do not wear uniform, so far as regards 342 the wearing of badges when they are on duty. I have, of course, no objection to any Post Office employee wearing his badge off duty provided he is not in uniform.