§ MR. BIGGARasked the Postmaster General, If he is aware of the existence of a local rule in the Telegraph Department of Belfast Post Office, that clerks joining that office since 1878 are only granted an annual leave of two weeks although performing night and Sunday duties; clerks appointed before 1878 performing same duties being accorded three weeks' annual leave; is this rule enforced in any other large office, and is it with his sanction; and, if not, will he take steps to compensate those against whom this rule has operated?
§ MR. FAWCETTSir, in reply to the hon. Member, I have to state that at Belfast there is no local rule in restriction of the authorized period of annual leave. In 1879 it was discovered that in this matter of leave the Telegraph Department at Belfast was being treated exceptionally—that it was enjoying privileges which were not conceded elsewhere in the United Kingdom at offices similarly circumstanced; and it was then decided that, if only with a view to uniformity, these privileges could not be extended to new entrants. From those who were then enjoying them, however, they were not taken away.