§ MR. BUXTONsaid, he would beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he is prepared to give an answer to the application made to him by a deputation which waited upon him some time since, with regard to affording the clerks in the several Government offices the opportunity of obtaining a half-holiday on Saturday afternoons?
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONI think, Sir, the subject of that application is one which is very deserving of consideration. There may be some offices in which the whole of the Department could not be allowed to have a half-holiday. The Secretary to the Treasury is in communication with the officers of the different Departments in order to see how far a half-holiday on Saturday afternoons can be made consistent with the requirements of 634 the public service. I have no doubt that a great number of the Departments can allow a half-holiday.