§ Mr. COTTONasked the Postmaster-General what provisions, if any, in reference to employæs, have been made by the Government to come into operation on the transfer of the telephone system; and if the officers' services would count from the time they entered the service of the company, and be entitled to pensions, seniority, and all other conditions as Government officers?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)The general conditions under which employés of the National Telephone Company will be transferred to the Post Office are stated in the memorandum read in this House on 9th August, 1905, by the then Postmaster-General. The Bill which I hope shortly to introduce will contain provisions respecting pensions. The question of the value to be attached to service under the company for purposes of seniority and for other purposes is still under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.
§ Mr. COTTONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman for a copy of the memorandum?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELYes. I will send the hon. Member a copy.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the terms of the recommendations made by his predecessors about three years ago in regard to these men; and, if not, will he refer to it?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELYes, Sir. There were a good many statements, but all subsequent to the memorandum made out by Lord Stanley when he was Postmaster-General in 1905 were in accordance with the terms of that memorandum, and there is to be no change, and my policy will follow that announced by my predecessors.