§ Mr. NANNETTIasked the right hon. Gentleman if he will make inquiries as to whether the junior superintendent in the telegraph office, Dublin, is frequently guilty of discourteous conduct towards the staff; whether he is aware that the staff has complained both verbally and in writing of this officer's conduct; can he say what qualifications, technical or otherwise, did this officer possess when promoted to his present rank; and whether the Controller had occasion in the presence of the staff to censure this officer for his methods of supervision?
§ Mr. BUXTONI can only repeat the answer which I gave to a similar question by my hon. Friend on 26th August, namely, that I have received no complaint on the subject.
§ Mr. NANNETTIMay I point out to my right hon. Friend that the question on the Paper has not been answered. I asked if the Postmaster-General would make inquiries into the allegations in question.
§ Mr. BUXTONI do not think it is my duty to make inquiries of this kind in reference to matters in regard to which I have received no complaints from the staff through the ordinary channel.
§ Mr. NANNETTIIs it not a fact that the ordinary channel for getting information has been closed in the case of the General Post Office, Dublin?
§ Mr. BUXTONCertainly not. If a member of the staff desires to make the complaint he has a full opportunity of communicating with me personally. Nothing has been done to prevent this, and any member of the staff who has a complaint to make can make it.
§ Mr. NANNETTIAs this is a matter of great importance, I wish to know if I am not entitled to a reply to my question? I want to know will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into this matter?
§ Mr. BUXTONUntil I have a definite complaint, I do not think it is my duty to hold a roving inquiry into allegations which, so far as I am aware, have no foundation in fact.
§ Mr. MacNEILLHas not my hon. Friend made a very definite complaint on behalf of those he represents in Parliament?
§ Mr. BUXTONI do not think so.
§ Mr. NANNETTIAs a Member of this House, I claim that when I put a question dealing with a matter of public importance I have a right to receive a courteous reply to the effect that an inquiry will be made into my allegations. I never heard of such a refusal before.
§ Mr. SPEAKEROrder, order. The answer has been given, and I do not think it is discourteous. The hon. Member has got a full answer.