§ MR. CLAUDE HAYI beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether having regard to the expressed view of His Majesty's Government that no political organisation can be useful unless it is a party organisation, he will rescind his decision forbidding the existence of a branch of the Primrose League among postal servants; and if he will state why-Liberal party organisations and Socialist organisations are permitted among Postal employees.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI am not aware that His Majesty's Government have expressed the view attributed to them by the hon. Member. The decision I gave in regard to the Primrose League was 641 founded on the existing rules governing the conduct of Post Office servants as civil servants. It was to the effect that while Post Office servants are not forbidden to join societies of a political character, such as the Primrose League, they are expected to maintain a certain reserve in political matters; and that it had been decided by my predecessors that Post Office servants ought not to hold office under the League; and that I saw no reason to alter this decision. I understand that, in conformity with this decision, those postal servants who were interested in the matter have formed, or are about to form, themselves into a Constitutional Society, which is to be conducted independent of and apart from Party politics. I am not aware of the existence of any Liberal Party organisation within the Post Office. The only Socialist Society of the existence of which I am aware is the Civil Service Socialist Society (into which the Pioneer Socialist League has, I understand, been incorporated) which is open to membership from any branch of the Civil Service. According to its constitution, a copy of which has been furnished to me, the object of the society is to educate the members of the service in the principles of Socialism. Political action is expressly stated to be outside its province, and the general funds of the society are not to be used for any other organisation.
§ MR. CLAUDE HAYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the Attorney-General stated in this House a few days ago that no political organisation was useful which was not a Party organisation?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI am not aware of it. I understand that the Attorney-General does not quite recognise the words put into his mouth. However, I am responsible for the Post Office.
§ MR. CLAUDE HAYasked whether the Postmaster-General would inquire whether there was a branch of the League of Young Liberals in the Post Office.
§ MR. SAMUEL ROBERTS (Sheffield, Ecclesall)How does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile his refusal to allow a branch of the Primrose League in con- 642 nection with the Post Office with his permission to establish a branch of the Civil Service Socialist League?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI understand the decision was given by my predecessor, who has more knowledge of the Primrose League than I can claim to possess. He decided that it was of such a nature as not to be suitable for members of the Post Office to take office in. With regard to the Civil Service Socialist League, I understand that its constitution expressly provides that political action is outside its province. I, of course, have to take into consideration in these matters the constitution of the societies.
MR. STANLEY WILSON (Yorkshire E.R., Holderness)Is the House to understand that the Postmaster-General considers Socialism is not politics?
§ MR. THORNENot at all—economics.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONMy opinion with regard to Socialism, or any other subject, is not in question. It is a question concerning the attitude and action of these societies in the Post Office.
§ MR. R. DUNCAN (Lanarkshire, Govan)asked whether the right hon. Gentleman was governed by the decision of his predecessor, or whether he would not exercise his own discretion.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI am not bound by the decision of my predecessor, but, naturally, I take his decision into consideration in deciding these matters.