Mr. POINTERasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he was aware of the dismissal by the West Riding asylum authority at Wakefield of an attendant who, in his capacity of secretary of the local branch of the National Asylum Workers' Union, sent out letters explaining the objects and progress of the union, on the ground that, out of the total number of letters despatched, one which he had entrusted to another attendant was inadvertently enclosed in an envelope hearing the official mark of the West Riding County Council; if so, would he say what action he proposed to take; and whether there was any rule of the service preventing an asylum attendant joining a trade union or acting as local branch secretary?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Churchill)I am informed by the asylum authorities that the attendant in question was not dismissed because of his connection with the union, nor was the sending of the letter relating to the union in an official envelope the sole ground of his dismissal. The Medical Superintendent reported that 4 he had been obliged frequently to reprimand the attendant for his general conduct in the wards, and the Committee, considering that the man had forfeited their confidence dispensed with his services. I have no authority to interfere in the matter. By a regulation of the Committee of Visitors of the West Riding Asylum, a combination among attendants for any object connected with their duties or position, is forbidden, unless with the sanction of the Superintendent; but this rule has not been used to prevent the men from joining a union.