asked the Minister for the Public Service if, in view of the special position of Post Office staff within the Civil Service, he will consider granting full civil and political rights to all grades concerned prior to the end of the three-year period.

The extension for certain classes of civil servants in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs of freedom to engage in political activity was considered as part of a general re-examination of the involvement of civil servants in politics. In announcing the revised arrangements I stated that the position generally would be reviewed after a period of three years. I do not think it would be appropriate to anticipate the outcome of this review for any group of civil servants.