Cable And Wireless, Ltd, Ex-Employees (Pay)
13.
asked the Postmaster-General how many ex-employees of Cable and Wireless, Limited, are now receiving in his service lower total remuneration than that received when the service was under private enterprise.
Up to 1947, members of Cable and Wireless, Limited, received a variable bonus, related to the company's profits, which was not reckoned for pension or for overtime rates. This bonus was consolidated with pay from 1st January, 1947, under an agreement negotiated between the company and the staff associations concerned. None of the company's staff transferred to the Post Office on 1st April, 1950, receives less than his normal pay at the time of transfer. Extra earnings for Sunday duty and overtime are, of course, largely dependent on day-to-day conditions.
Is that answer designed to conceal the fact that the employees do not now receive as much remuneration under State ownership as they did when they were employed by Cable and Wireless?
No, Sir, the answer is designed to give the facts and the consequences of an agreement which was freely negotiated between both sides.
Is the right hon. Gentleman saying that taking into account the bonus, which is an essential part of their earnings, the men are receiving today from his Department what they previously received from Cable and Wireless?
No, Sir, what I am saying is that some may receive more and some may receive less, but we are paying what is provided for under a freely negotiated agreement.
Now that the right hon. Gentleman has answered the Question, contrasting wages under private enterprise and in a nationalised industry, does he agree that Cable and Wireless is now a nationalised industry?
That is an entirely different matter. Cable and Wireless was divided into several parts and an independent company has been formed with a limited charter. It cannot be described as a nationalised undertaking.
Was not an undertaking given at the time of the takeover that none of the employees would be worse off under the new scheme? Does not the Postmaster-General's answer imply that that undertaking has not been carried out?
If that undertaking has not been carried out, we should have heard from the trade union associations before now. So far, we have had no representations.
Airmail Carriers (Rates)
14.
asked the Postmaster- General in how many instances the rates paid by his Department to State and charter air lines are up to the agreed inter national standard; and in how many he is paying below the agreed international standard.
There is no agreed international standard governing the rates to be paid by postal administrations to their national air operators. The rates paid to British air carriers for the conveyance of mails are negotiated on a commercial basis.
May I take it that the right hon. Gentleman regards as inaccurate and unreasonable the statement made in the report of B.O.A.C. on this matter?
I have given the facts.
Crossed Cheques
15.
asked the Post master-General whether he will amend Post Office regulations to permit the enclosure of crossed cheques with in voices or statements sent as printed papers.
I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd) on 14th February, 1951.
That was a considerable time ago. Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that this would be of considerable assistance in keeping down the overheads of industries and would be of help in controlling the cost of living?
I think that it would be quite unthinkable to do this. It would only increase temptation over a very wide field, and I do not think that it would be in the interests of industry to introduce this sort of innovation.
Savings Certificates (Children)
18.
asked the Postmaster- General why his Savings Department re quires the parents of a child under seven years of age to prove that repayment of the child's certificates is necessary for the child's urgent need but repays, without question, on the child's signature, certificates held by a child of seven years of age, although that signature may be directed by the parents.
I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. and learned Member for Richmond (Sir G. Harvie-Watt) on 6th March.
As a child of seven is bound to sign any document which his father or mother puts before him, what is the point of this rule, which causes a great deal of unnecessary work?
This is a hundred years' old law. The Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday gave an undertaking to review this whole question and to see what could be done to put it right. I agree that it is very anomalous.
Football Pool Tickets (Sale)
19.
asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that football permutation tickets are being sold on behalf of a political party by postmen in uniform; whether this is being done by his authority; and if he will put a stop to this practice immediately.
One postman is known to have been selling such tickets. The practice is contrary to Post Office rules and was stopped as soon as it came to light.
Is the Minister aware that when the firm to which the staff is attached moved its address some miles away, the matter was taken up, and the supply of tickets was taken over by the new postman concerned? Is not that an abuse of His Majesty's postal service?
Answer.
On a point of order. May we ask the Minister to give an answer?
The hon. Member for Hull, North (Mr. W. R. A. Hudson), gave a lot of information but he did not ask a question. He informed the Postmaster-General of what had happened.
Telecommunications Board (Chairmanship)
20.
asked the Postmaster-General when the vacancy of chairman on the Imperial Telecommunications Board will be filled.
Under the Commonwealth Telegraphs Agreement, the chairman of the Board is to be appointed jointly by the partner Governments, who have the matter under consideration.
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this vacancy has existed now for four months? In view of the very serious problems confronting the Board, will he treat the matter as one of urgency?
It is a matter of urgency. The hon. Gentleman is wrong in his time factor. We have not been idle for four months, and we are pressing the Commonwealth Governments to come to a decision on this matter.
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the chairmanship was vacated on the 27th November, and I make that four months ago?
Civil Service Unions (Consultation)
23.
asked the Postmaster-General if, before announcing the terms of reference for the Trade Union Recognition Policy Committee, he consulted the representatives of the Civil Service unions; and with what result.
Yes, Sir; a satisfactory understanding was reached.
May I now take it that there is no substance in the allegations that these unions were not consulted?
The Civil Service unions who were concerned in this were consulted.
Mails (Ss "Batory")
26.
asked the Postmaster-General why his Department is using the Polish vessel s.s. "Batory" for the conveyance of export parcels to North America, in view of the delays which occur in New York while the vessel's cargo is being examined.
I understand from the U.S. Post Office that mails sent from this country to the United States by the motor vessel "Batory" are subject to delay of not more than four hours on average. I am. however, looking into the specific case about which the hon. Member has written to me, and I will write to him as soon as possible.
Is that not somewhat astonishing in view of the notorious publicity which this vessel has received and the well-known fact that her cargo is suspect and is gone through with a fine tooth-comb every time the ship goes into New York; and does not the Minister acknowledge that I have given him evidence in writing on this subject?
Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would allow me to examine the evidence first, and have the observations of the United States Post Office on it.