§ 26. Mr. ARTHUR HENDERSONasked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state the composition of the Committee promised in connection with the Post Office Select Committee's Report; and when it is to commence its proceedings?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)The Committee will consist of a representative of the Treasury, a representative of the Post Office, two representatives of Post Office servants, and a chairman to be nominated by the Board of Trade. The Committee will be in a position to commence its proceedings as soon as the chairman is appointed.
§ Mr. HENDERSONCan the Prime Minister state the terms of reference on which the Committee will act?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe terms of reference are: "To examine from the point of view of the Department and its employés, the issues with regard to the wages and conditions of employment of Post Office servants raised by the Report of the recent Select Committee of the House of Commons presided over by Mr. Holt, and to advise what modifications, if any, are desirable in the decisions taken on its recommendations in these matters."
§ Colonel LOCKWOODCan the right hon. Gentleman give us the names of the Committee?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Treasury will be represented by Mr. Wilkins, the Post Office by Sir Alexander King, and the Postal servants by Mr. Stuart and Mr. Young. The Board of Trade have not yet nominated a chairman.
Sir GILBERT PARKERWill the terms of reference include any outstanding grievances with which the Holt Committee did not specifically deal?
§ Mr. GOULDINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the Postmaster-General distinctly promised in the Debate that the terms of reference would be referred to this House for approval before the Committee was set up, and that he also stated that the grievances raised in the two days' discussion in this House should also be considered by this Committee? From what the right hon. Gentleman stated I am not sure that those are included.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think they are intended to be.
§ Mr. GOULDINGWill the right hon. Gentleman acquaint himself with the fact that the Postmaster-General distinctly promised in this House that the terms of reference should have the approval of this House before the Committee was set up?
Mr. PIKE PEASEWill any fresh changes be made before the Committee reports in regard to this question?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI must have notice of that. I do not know anything about it. The hon. Gentleman had better ask the Postmaster-General.
Sir G. PARKERWill the right hon. Gentleman give me an answer to the question I put to him? I did not understand him to make any reply.
§ The PRIME MINISTERWhat question?
Sir G. PARKERWhether outstanding grievances with which the Holt Committee did not deal will be within the purview of the terms of reference?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI would rather like notice of that.
§ Sir J. D. REESWill the reference include the retrenched officials from South Africa and the engineering staff whose grievances have been brought before the House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should like to have notice of that.
§ Mr. J. HOGGECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether this Committee will sit in London, or will it go to the various centres, for instance, Edinburgh and Glasgow, to deal with Scottish grievances, or will Scotsmen have to come to London?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat will be for the Committee to determine.
§ Mr. GOULDINGrose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member should put any any further questions down.
§ Mr. GOULDINGIt is a very important matter.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe more important it is the more necessary it is to give notice of it.
§ Mr. GOULDINGIf the Committee is set up there will not be time. There was a distinct pledge given to us by the Postmaster-General about the terms of reference.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member can ask a question to-morrow. If the matter is pressing and he submits the question to me, he can certainly ask it to-morrow.
§ Mr. GOULDINGI give notice that I will ask it to-morrow.