HC Deb 05 February 1908 vol 183 cc862-4
EARL WINTERTON

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General for what reason permission has been refused by his Department for the formation of a habitation of the Primrose League at the General Post Office.

THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, Poplar

My predecessors, who were more intimately acquainted with the constitution and working of the Primrose League than I can profess to be, laid it down that the Primrose League being a political organisation identified with Party politics, Post Office servants ought not to hold office under the League. I have seen no reason to alter this decision.

MR. SAMUEL ROBERTS (Sheffield, Ecclesall)

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the existence of a branch of the Pioneer Socialist League in the Central Telegraph Office; and whether it was organised and continues with his knowledge and sanction.

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

My attention has recently been drawn to the existence in the Post Office of an association called the Pioneer Socialist League; but it was not organised with my knowledge or sanction. I believe it came into existence before I took office. As far as I am at present aware there is nothing in the programme of the League to connect it with Party politics. So long as that is so, I see no reason for taking action.

EARL WINTERTON

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman does not recognise the existence of the Independent Labour Party?

MR. R. DUNCAN (Lanark, Govan)

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Primrose League, while having a political basis, disclaims being a Party organisation?

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

I have no intimate knowledge, as I said, of the constitution or working of the Primrose League. I am basing my decision in regard to the matter entirely on that of a predecessor of mine who, belonging to the Unionist Party, no doubt had some knowledge of the constitution of the league.

MR. R. DUNCAN

The league is not a Party organisation.

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

I confess it would be very difficult to persuade me that it is not.

EARL WINTERTON

Do we understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that in his opinion while the Primorse League is a Party organisation the Pioneer Socialist League is not?

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

I have given my Answers. The noble Lord can judge.

MR. T. L. CORBETT (Down, N.)

Does the right hon. Gentleman not admit that the mere name, "Pioneer Socialist League," coupled with recent election events, proves that this is a Party organisation?

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

I am speaking of the members of a particular league and its programme, so far as it has come to my knowledge. I have said there is nothing in that programme to connect it with Party politics, and so long as that is so I am not entitled to interfere.

MR. LEVERTON HARRIS (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are branches of the Free Trade Union and Tariff Reform Leagues in the Post Office? Does he propose to interfere with them?

MR. SYDNEY BUXTON

So far as my attention has been drawn to the matter, they have not committed any breach of the Post Office rules.