HC Deb 18 March 1946 vol 420 cc1498-9
2. Mr. William Williams

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the growing unrest among post and telegraph staff in India regarding existing standards of pay and general conditions of service; whether his attention has been drawn to a memorandum submitted to the Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs by the Federation of Post and Telegraph Unions; and what action he proposes to take to ensure that speedy and sympathetic consideration is given to the claims submitted on behalf of the staff and so prevent a possible general stoppage of work in this important public service.

Mr. A. Henderson

The memorandum to which the hon. Member refers was not brought to the notice of my Noble Friend since the questions at issue are within, the competence of the Government of India to settle. It has, however, been ascertained that the Government of India have announced their intention to appoint a Commission, predominantly non-official in character, to examine the whole question of scales of pay, conditions of service, etc., of all Government of India servants on which all legitimate interests, including the workers themselves, will be represented. Meanwhile substantial improvement in allowances is being given to certain categories of employees, including categories of postal and telegraph workers, and I am glad to say that the Postmen's Union and Federation have informed the Government of India that they, have suspended the strike notice.

Mr. Williams

Whilst I appreciate that statement, I should be glad to know whether the Commission is likely to start its work in the near future, because the situation is very bad.

Mr. Henderson

I think we can assume that it will.

Mr. Sorensen

Can the hon. and learned Gentleman do anything to accelerate the consideration of this matter, in view of the fact that the conditions of labour and pay are certainly very bad indeed?

Mr. Henderson

I think we can take it, as I said a moment ago, that the Commission will sit almost immediately. But I shall be glad to do what I can.

Sir Stanley Reed

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman set his face against any proposal from this House to impose on the taxpayers or consumers in India?

Mr. Henderson

That is another question.