HC Deb 21 April 1893 vol 11 cc901-2
MR. ROBERT WALLACE (Edinburgh, E.)

I beg to ask the- Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the question of messengers in the Government Departments at Edinburgh taking remunerative employment as waiters during office hours and otherwise is creating much dissatisfaction, especially among the working classes in that city; whether he is aware that, on the 23rd of March last, a messenger in the Exchequer Office was allowed to absent himself for the day, and during office hours, with the view of his earning fees as a waiter; whether the service of the Exchequer Office suffered in consequence; and whether, as regards messengers, the Exchequer Office is over-manned?

SIR G. TREVELYAN

In reply to the hon. Member, I have to state that a messenger in the Exchequer Office was allowed to be absent from his duties on the 23rd March, this being taken as a part of his annual holiday. No inquiry was made as to the way in which the day was to be spent, nor does the Queen's Remembrancer conceive himself to be entitled to make such inquiry. The Exchequer is not over-manned as regards the staff of messengers, throe being the lowest number with which the duties of the office can be permanently discharged. The Public Service did not suffer from the holiday in question being granted. As regards the main question, I am aware that a meeting has been held in Edinburgh, but I have no reason to believe that there is dissatisfaction felt so long as it is understood that public servants do not take private work in public time.

MR. R. WALLACE

May I ask if two messengers were found sufficient for the duties of the office on the day named in the question?

SIR G. TREVELYAN

It is quite obvious the men must have a holiday in the course of the year, and the holidays are arranged to meet the convenience of the office. If a man was out waiting on the day named, it was because it was his holiday.

MR. R. WALLACE

Are the holidays distributed over the year?

SIR G. TREYELYAN

I believe the men have six weeks' holiday in the course of the year, and they take it at times which do not interfere with the efficiency of the office.

MR. R. WALLACE

I beg to give notice that I shall call attention to this matter on the Estimates.