§ 40. Mr. Jaggerasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that five ex-Service male clerical officers employed in the Savings Bank Department recently requested to be received as a deputation by the Controller to make a statement and a protest on matters affecting their promotion prospects and were refused a hearing on the grounds that matters relating to promotions must be voiced through Whitley channels; and whether, in view of the fact that these men are members of the Association of Ex-Service Civil Servants which has no representation on the local Whitley Council, he will give directions that on future occasions the duly elected representatives of the ex-Service association shall be received by the Controller on matters affecting its members?
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Sir Walter Womersley)I am aware of the circumstances. The Association of Ex-Service Civil Servants is not officially recognised in the Post Office in respect of clerical officers, as its membership among that grade is quite small and under regulations which have been in force in the Post Office for many years and which are accepted by the great majority of the associations official recognition is not accorded to bodies representing small minorities. It would not 25 be in accordance with Post Office practice to grant facilities to an association to make representations on behalf of members of a grade in respect of whom it is not officially recognised.