HC Deb 14 August 1882 vol 273 cc1680-1
MR. BIGGAR

asked the Postmaster General, If it is a fact that young girls, employed in the service of the Post Office as assistants, are required to give from ten to twelve hours' daily duty in the respective offices in which they are engaged, and are also required to discharge the entire of the duties of the office both Postal and Telegraph, being only relieved by their Postmasters during the periods which they are allowed for meals, and also for the short periods they are allowed for recreation, which rarely extends over two hours in any day; this comprising the entire assistance rendered by Postmasters in discharge of routine duties of their office; is it a fact that they have to begin their duties at hours varying from 2 a.m. and have to continue on duty, excepting during the periods referred to, until 8 p.m. or such times after 8 p.m. as they have accounts for the day settled for transmission to the chief office in Dublin; and, does he sanction for females such exceptional hours and duties as these in his Department; and, if not, will he be good enough to take such steps as will prevent its continuance, and give to these assistants the same. privileges, or something nearly approaching to them, as awarded to females who hold appointments in the same service?

MR. FAWCETT

Sir, I am not aware of any female assistants, in the service of the Post Office, working under such conditions as those described by the hon. Member for Cavan (Mr. Biggar). If any such cases existed, I should think, not only that the particular postmaster in whose service the assistants were was much to blame, but that the Surveyor would be expected to bring such cases under the notice of the Department. If the hon. Member will direct attention to any cases, they shall at once be most carefully investigated. With regard to his suggestion that assistants should be placed in the same position as those on the Establishment, I think this would not be practicable. Among other reasons, it may be mentioned that assistants often give only a portion of their time to the Post Office, as they are engaged in helping in the business carried on in the shop where the post office is.