§ 5. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Post master-General why the Nottingham telephone manager has censured M. T. A. Norman, a member of his staff, for writing 1155 a letter to the local Press on the subject of the refusal of recognition to the Engineering Officers (Telecommunications) Association; and why repeated letters since 9th February, 1951, from Mr. W. J. Brown to the Post Office on this subject have failed to produce any reply other than a series of bare acknowledgments.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThe application, in all good faith, of the rule in question to this case was, in my opinion, wrong and I have cancelled the decision. As to the second part of the Question, under agreement with the Post Office Whitley Council representations from unrecognised associations are not admissible.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIs it not the policy of the right hon. Gentleman's Department to reply to letters from members of the public raising matters of public importance, whether they are recognised by the right hon. Gentleman or not?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsMr. W. J. Brown, who wrote this letter, was himself a party to the practice whereby such letters should not be recognised.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterDoes that answer mean that a British citizen is not entitled to a reply from a public Department of State?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsIn this case a British citizen raised the question of the rights of an officer of my Department. The officer concerned had the right of a personal appeal to me about the position. Instead of doing that, he communicated with a private citizen to take up what is purely a Departmental and union question.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIn view of the attitude disclosed by the right hon. Gentleman in his dealings with the public, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earliest opportunity.