§ SIR JOHN PULESTON (Devonport)asked the Postmaster General, If any estimate has been formed whether, under existing circumstances, the amount of extra duty to be performed in the Post Office Savings Bank during the next five or six months will be largely in excess of that performed in past years; whether his attention has been drawn to the remarks of the Royal Commission on the subject—namely, that—
The average amount of extra hours of 360 of the staff of the Savings Bank Department since the 31st of December last are five hours per day per man;and, whether he is making any arrangement by which a large proportion of the work can be performed other than by means of extra duty; and, if so, whether he is in a position to state the nature of the arrangements, and the date on which they will come into operation?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)Judging from the Returns which I have had before me of the rapid increase in the work of the Post Office Savings Bank, there is no doubt that there will be alarge augmentation of business in the period referred to by the hon. Member, and it is estimated that there will be a proportionate increase of extra duty unless it is otherwise provided for. My attention has been given to the remarks of the Royal Commission on the subject. The matter is receiving my earnest attention 517 and that of the Treasury, and I am in hopes that a decision may be arrived at soon.