§ MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the Postmaster-General in 1903 appointed a Committee, presided over by Sir E. Bradford, to investigate the question of wages amongst certain classes of postal workers, that an assurance was given that the composition of the Committee would command the confidence of the House as well as the general public, that the staff were asked in the official circular to give evidence before it, and that nearly two years have transpired since the original promise of the formation of the Committee was announced, he will, in view of the condition of unrest among the postal and telegraph staffs, and in the interest of the efficiency of the service, declare his intention of adopting, as dating from May. 1904, the whole of the remedial recommendations of the Bradford Committee.
LORD STANLEYNo, Sir. I have already announced publicly that I am not prepared to take the course suggested by the hon. Member; but I propose shortly to announce the changes in wages 1207 which I find to be justified. Provision is made for these changes in the Estimates for the coming financial year.
§ MR. NANNETTIIs the noble Lord aware that the seething discontent in the service is now aggravated by his announced intention to brush aside the Bradford Report? Can he not pledge himself to adopt that Report?
SIR ALBERT BOLLIT (Islington, S.)But will the noble Lord have regard to the recommendations of, and views expressed by, the Bradford Committee.