HC Deb 21 November 1951 vol 494 cc365-6
24. Mr. R. E. Winterbottom

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when the report of the committee inquiring into the claims of breakaway unions in the Post Office will be issued; and if he will give an assurance that he will not recognise E.O.T.A. or any other such breakaway union prior to the findings of the committee.

Mr. Gammans

I hope that the committee's report will be available early in the New Year; meantime I can give the assurance asked for.

Mr. Winterbottom

Whilst thanking the hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask that he should communicate the text of that reply to his hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury?

Mr. F. J. Erroll

In view of that brief and satisfactory reply, can my hon. Friend tell us what is its purpose and give a reason for the letter from the E.O.T.A., received by many of us this morning, to the effect that he had already turned down their application?

Mr. Gammans

I have seen this letter from the Engineering Officers' (Telecommunications) Association which attributes to me a statement that I have absolutely refused to recognise their union. That is completely untrue because this is the first statement I have made on their union either in this House or outside. I hope they will have the courtesy to apologise. A trade union that makes irresponsible statements of this sort certainly does not do its case any good.

27. Mr. Hobson

asked the Assistant-Postmaster General how many non-recognised staff associations, below 40 per cent. representation of the respective grades, have made application for full trade union recognition; and if he will state the names of such organisations.

Mr. Gammans

Seven staff associations have applied for recognition, or for extended recognition; their names are as, follows:

  • Engineering Officers (Telecommunications) Association,
  • National Association of Postal and Telegraph Officers,
  • National Association of Telephone Supervising Officers,
  • National Guild of Motor Engineers,
  • Telephone Sales Supervising Officers' Association,
  • National Guild of Telephonists,
  • Telecommunications Traffic Association.
Information about their current membership figures is not available, and I cannot therefore say how many are below 40 per cent. representation of their respective grades.

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