§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked the Postmaster General, What is the number of clerks in the Telegraph Department of the Belfast Post Office with less than nine years' service who are allowed three weeks' annual leave, and the number with over nine and not exceeding thirteen years' service who, though performing the same duties, are only granted a fortnight's annual holiday; also the number of clerks in the 1737 Postal Department of the same Office with, service not exceeding thirteen years who are granted one month's annual leave; and if there is a single instance of a clerk with long service and good conduct having been transferred from any provincial office to the Telegraph Department of the Liverpool, Manchester, or Glasgow Post Offices, being called upon to perform night duty, and only allowed a fortnight's annual holiday; and, whether in Irish offices, such as Dublin and Belfast, whore the duties are precisely the same as in the offices referred to, officials are treated differently in this respect?
§ MR. FAWCETTThe first of the two Questions put by the hon. Member is a repetition of one that was addressed to me at the beginning of last month. I then explained that the reason for some of the telegraphists in the Belfast Post Office having three weeks' leave, while the rest have a fortnight, was that at Belfast some officers had received, through an error, longer leave than was given at other post offices. As soon as the mistake was discovered new entrants into the Belfast Post Office were put in the same position with regard to leave as those employed elsewhere. It was not, however, thought expedient to withdraw the longer leave from those who had previously enjoyed it. I also stated that in consequence of the postal duties being much more harassing than those of the telegraphists, some of those employed on the postal side have more than a fortnight's leave. With regard to the hon. Member's second Question, I have not been able, during the short interval which has elapsed since Notice of it was given, to collect the required information from the post offices of Liverpool, Manchester, and Glasgow; but I may say generally that the Post Office servants in those cities are not treated exceptionally in the matter of leave, and that throughout the United Kingdom, wherever the circumstances are similar, similar treatment is extended to all.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked whether the right hon. Gentleman would take notice of a case of distinct unfairness if it were brought before him?
§ MR. FAWCETTsaid, if the hon. Gentleman would direct his attention to a particular case, he would most gladly have it investigated.