§ 44. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Postmaster-General why, by Circular C.68/49, dated 3rd May, 1949, he has instructed his officers to refuse to give a reasoned reply to representations made by associations of postal workers unrecognised by him.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingThe purpose of the instruction was to remind controlling officers of what, for many years, has been the normal practice in the Post Office in this matter.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterCan the right hon. Gentleman say why, when a reasonable suggestion is put forward, the person or organisation putting it forward should be denied a reasoned reply?
§ Mr. PalingIt would be a rather big undertaking to give a reasoned reply to every letter of this sort from every organisation, recognised or unrecognised.
§ Mr. W. J. BrownMay we be assured that the Postmaster-General in this consideration, as in others, has abided by the agreed arrangement governing the recognition of associations in the public service, and is still doing so?
§ Mr. PalingYes, Sir.
§ Mr. W. R. WilliamsIs not it clear to my right hon. Friend from this Question, and several others on the Order Paper, that it is the policy of hon. Members opposite to encourage break-away organisations to try to divide workers in industry so as to make less effective the work of the real trade unions?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that my original Question has nothing whatever to do with the subject matter of the last supplementary question? It relates solely to the singling out of one set of associations to be denied the right, otherwise given to all British citizens, of having a reasoned reply from a public Department.
§ Mr. PalingI have answered the Question on the Order Paper.
§ 55. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Postmaster-General how many postal and telegraph officer posts within the Post Office are held by members of the National Association of Postal and Telegraph Officers; and what percentage this amounts to of the total number of such posts.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingThe National Association of Postal and Telegraph Officers claims to have a membership of 4,765. This represents 21.8 per cent. of the total number of postal and telegraph officers.
§ 61. Mr. Hollisasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the claim of the National Association of Postal and Telegraph Officers to represent the required 40 per cent. of the organised staff of the postal and telegraph officer grade; and if he will make a check in order to test the accuracy of this claim.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bexley (Mr. Bramall) on 1st July.