§ MR. ATHERLEY-JONES (Durham, N.W.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General is there a rule now operative 1599 permitting rural postmen and postmen in country towns to have occasional holidays on condition of providing and paying for an efficient substitute; and, if so, what steps have been taken to let postmasters and others controlling the men know of the rule, and what amount of such holiday is in ordinary cases considered fair and proper?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES, Cambridge University)There is no rule to the effect suggested by the hon. Member. Country postmen, both town and rural, have a prescribed number of holidays in the course of the year, and no others are recognised. If on any other day a postman is relieved from duty on his providing an efficient substitute, this is an indulgence which he owes to the local postmaster, who is vested with a discretion to grant such relief on good cause shown. I am happy to say that I have during the last year or two made provision for substitutes on alternate Sundays on a great many of the rural walks. This is, however, not an occasional, but a regular service.