§ Mr. KINGasked the Postmaster-General whether a rule exists in the Post Office that no complaint against any Post Office servant is to be inquired into or acted upon unless made in writing and until the person complained, of has been allowed to make a reply in defence?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe rule which the hon. Member has in mind is as follows: "Before an officer is punished for an offence or has an adverse entry made in his record the precise nature of the charge will be clearly stated to him in writing. He will be requested to make a written explanation, and will be afforded every opportunity of meeting the charge and proving his innocence. Whore, however, any question of criminal misconduct is involved, the procedure must necessarily depend on the circumstances of the case."