HC Deb 30 January 1962 vol 652 cc873-4
19. Dr. King

asked the Postmaster-General why the joint meeting of the Engineering Factories and Supplies Whitley Council fixed for 23rd January, 1962, did not take place; what subjects would have been discussed at this meeting; when the date of the meeting was fixed; and what date has now been fixed for the postponed meeting.

Mr. Bevins

The meeting was postponed because of heavy pressure on the time of the Director General and senior Post Office officials who would have attended it. The agenda covers a wide range of matters, including many of the most important current developments affecting the Post Office engineering, factories and supplies fields. The date was fixed in October last, and the staff side have been informed that a new date will be suggested as soon as possible.

Dr. King

Is the Postmaster-General aware that this is what would have been one of the regular meetings of the Whitley Council; that it would have been attended not only by representatives of the union in dispute with him, but representatives of other groups not in dispute with him; that the Council would have discussed all kinds of matters besides the issue between him and the one union? Since he has ultimately to meet it to restore good conditions, would not it have been better to keep this going as a non-committal body where he could talk to men involved in the dispute and many who are not?

Mr. Bevins

I appreciate what the hon. Gentleman has said. The pay claim of this union would not have been discussed at a meeting of this sort, where there would have been a discussion on a wide range of topics affecting the business of the Post Office and Post Office staffs. I assure the hon. Gentleman that the sole reason for the postponement was pressure of work on the Department and we shall get together as soon as we can.

Mr. W. R. Williams

Are we to assume that this meeting, which was fixed for this date, was postponed arbitrarily by the Post Office, without agreement with this union? If so, is not that cutting right across the tradition of the whole Whitley working, namely, that these things should be by agreement? Would not it be in the interests of the service as a whole that during a period of great anxiety and difference such as we are now going through, these meetings should be held regularly and that no cause for offence should be given?

Mr. Bevins

No cause for offence was given. Moreover, this was not a meeting between the Post Office and a particular trade union. It was a meeting between the Post Office and the Engineering Whitley Council. As soon as a little of the pressure is lifted from my Department we shall resume these meetings.

Mr. Williams

May I press the right hon. Gentleman to answer the first part of my supplementary question? Was it postponed by agreement and, if not, why not?

Mr. Bevins

It was postponed for the reason which I have already given to the House on two occasions.