HC Deb 02 April 1908 vol 187 cc681-2
MR. CLAUDE HAY

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he feels bound by the recommendation made in the 74th paragraph of the Report of the Hobhouse Committee, in which the Committee recommend that every reasonable opportunity should be afforded of bringing the accuser and accused face to face, and that every charge made in connection with secret reports should be communicated in full to the accused, and every opportunity afforded of procuring rebutting evidence and of proving his innocence; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to secure that his approval, of this recommendation be made known to all members of this staff and to secure that it is fairly and freely carried out.

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

I have given the recommendation contained in Paragragh 74 of the Report and the other paragraphs, referring to the question of confidential reporting, etc., careful consideration. But I have promised to discuss the question with some of the associations representing the postal servants, and I desire to hear what they may have to say on the matter before laying down definite instructions in regard to the matter.