MR. DALZIEL (&c.) Kirkcaldy,I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he can inform the House how many senior telegraphists, first class and second class, at the Central Telegraph Office, were absent on sick leave during the twelve months ending 31st October, 1891, distinguishing in each class the number absent one day only, the number absent two days but not more than six days, and the number absent seven days or more?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Sir J. FERGUSSON,) Manchester, N.E.I do not know what is the object of the hon. Member's question, and I cannot undertake to give elaborate details of the internal management of the office; but, generally speaking, I can inform him that while the sick absence of the senior branch was normal, in the general ranks the absence for less than six days was less and for periods over six days was more in 1891 than in the previous period.