§ 6. Mr Ewingasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what discussions he has had with unions representing employees in the Post Office concerning the effect of the Government's anti-inflationary policies on wage settlements.
§ Sir J. EdenNone, Sir, but my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment had discussions last Wednesday with unions representing some 320,000 Post Office employees.
§ Mr. EwingWhy was not the right hon. Gentleman, as Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, invited to the discussions? Is the Minister who is responsible for the industry no longer invited to discussions that vitally affect it?
§ Sir J. EdenNo, Sir. The matter does not arise in the way in which the hon. Gentleman has described it. As he well knows, I am always very happy to see members of the unions on matters that 8 directly involve my responsibilities. The discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment were of a more general nature. As I think the hon. Gentleman knows, the request was originally directed to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ Mr. Arthur LewisWhen the Minister is having discussions, will he bear in mind the concern felt in the BBC among the well-established staff, who find that Mr. Jimmy Hill comes in from a £10,000 job to a £22,500 job to do exactly the same work? All those that are there now and have given long service will naturally ask for a 150 per cent. increase. Will the right hon. Gentleman see that they get it?
§ Sir J. EdenThe employment of Jimmy Hill is not a matter for me, but as the hon. Gentleman has written to me about it I shall shortly be replying to him.