HC Deb 02 February 1949 vol 460 cc1671-2
38. Mr. Geoffrey Cooper

asked the Postmaster-General if it is his practice, when any matters arise affecting staff, to consult with the appropriate trade unions on all occasions or to consult with the trade unions collectively if a number of individual employees or classes of employees are involved.

The Assistant Postmaster-General (Mr. Hobson)

The recognised associations which represent Post Office staff are consulted separately, collectively, or through the Whitley machinery, whichever is appropriate in the light of the chatter to be discussed.

Mr. Cooper

Could the Postmaster-General use his power of approach to the Director-General of the B.B.C. to get him to use a similar procedure to that used by the Post Office, since the B.B.C. recently turned down an application of the trade unions, whose members are recruited from the staff of the B.B.C., when they applied for an interview with the Director-General?

Mr. Hobson

That question does not arise out of the one on the Order Paper. It is more appropriate to the hon. Member's next Question.