HC Deb 03 July 1916 vol 83 cc1185-6
39. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

asked the Postmaster-General whether any discrimination is being made between postal telegraphists who have attested and those who are unattested; whether unattested men are being called to the Colours in preference to attested men; and whether he can give an assurance that the whole staff is being treated as one body, attested and unattested men alike receiving the same treatment?

The POSTMASTER- GENERAL (Mr. J. Pease)

I am sending the hon. Member the answer which I gave in the House, on the 29th June, to a similar question by the hon. Member for Leicester. The circumstances under which it has been decided to release unattested telegraphists for general military service are explained in that answer.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Is it the case that discrimination is being made between the attested and the unattested men, and that those who exercised their legal rights before are now being penalised?

Mr. PEASE

I think I had better deal with that subject later on.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Meantime is it the case?

Mr. PEASE

It is a matter which cannot be dealt with in answer to a question. It demands fuller explanation.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

What later occasion will there be for dealing with it?

Mr. PEASE

On the Post Office Vote this evening.