§ Mr. CLYNESasked the cause of the delay in publishing the proposed full classification of the telephone staff of the Post Office on transfer of the National Telephone Company's employés on 1st January next; and when the right hon. Gentleman expects to be in a position to make the classification known to the staff affected?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe cause of the delay is the magnitude and complexity of the task. The organisation of the company's staff is very different from that of the Post Office, and in order to carry out my undertaking that "the transferred officers will, as far as possible, be placed in the same classes as Post Office servants doing similar work," it is necessary to ascertain, as far as I can, the exact position and duties of the several classes of the company's servants, and in some cases even of individuals. I communicated the broad lines upon which the classification was proceeding to the Joint Board of Telephone Employés on the 30th ultimo. The detailed proposals are almost all now with the Treasury. They will be communicated to the Joint Board at the earliest possible date.
§ Mr. CLYNESDoes the right hon. Gentleman remember making a promise to discuss this matter with the representatives of the Joint Board before the end of 1586 the year; and, if so, is he making arrangements for that discussion?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIn my communications with the Joint Board I am not sure whether the promise given was precisely in relation to the matter raised in this question in all its bearings, or some part of it. I should like to refresh my memory by reference to my exact words before giving a definite reply.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSIs there any chance of its being completed before the House rises?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI hope so, certainly. It is now before the Treasury, and it is practically concluded as far as the Post Office is concerned.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSWill the right hon. Gentleman expedite the Treasury?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThat is a difficult task.