§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether any complaints have reached him with reference to the alleged unsanitary or unhealthy condition of the King's Cross Branch Office, Caledonian Road; and whether, in view of the fact that it has been closed twice owing to the prevalence of fever, and that there is rarely a full staff of clerks owing to absence by reason of illness, the Post Office Authorities will inquire into the matter?
§ * THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES,) Cambridge UniversityThe King's Cross Branch Post Office was closed in 1881 and 1887 in consequence of the children of the tenants of the upper floors, and of the caretaker respectively, having scarlet fever. In neither case was there any reason to think that the disease was caught in the house. The premises have been specially examined by the Chief Medical Officer to the Department, who reports the sanitary condition to be very fair. The rate of sick absence among the staff has not been above the average. There is at present one clerk absent with typhoid fever, but the cause is not attributed to any defects in the office.