HC Deb 22 August 1895 vol 36 cc537-9
MR. CLANCY (Dublin Co., N.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, will he explain why the employés in the Ordnance Survey Department, Phœnix Park, Dublin, are not allowed the usual Saturday half-holiday given to other Government employés of the same class in Dublin and the neighbourhood; and whether even the shorter hours of employment allowed on Saturdays to the Ordnance Survey employés referred to can only be obtained by the men working extra on other days of the week; if so what is the reason for this treatment of the Ordnance Survey Department, and whether it will be continued?

* THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. WALTER LONG,), Liverpool, West Derby

who replied to the question, said: During the five summer months the civil assistants employed at the Ordnance Survey Office in Dublin are allowed to leave at one o'clock on Saturday, on condition that on the other days of the week they work seven and a-half hours a day. The Departmental Committee which satin 1892 to consider this and kindred questions, reported that the hours of work in the Survey Offices were considerably less than those worked in the other manufacturing departments of the State, and that they could not be regarded as excessive. I do not feel, therefore, that I could properly assent to any arrangement which would involve a reduction of the aggregate number of hours worked per week, but if representations are made to me in favour of the adoption of some suitable arrangement for a similar reduction of the hours worked on Saturday during the remainder of the year, and by all ranks in the Survey Offices, they will receive my careful attention.

MR. CLANCY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the employés of the Valuation Office, who have the same duties, have shorter hours than those of the Ordnance Survey Department?

* MR. LONG

I am not aware what the hours are there. I know that the aggregate hours in the summer months in the Ordnance Survey Office are: engravers, 44; assistants, 41.

MR. CLANCY

I am much obliged for the information; but will the right hon. Gentleman consider that, owing to the situation of the Ordnance Survey Office in the middle of Phœnix Park, some of the employés have to walk two, three, or four miles in going to and returning from the office?

* MR. LONG

Of course all the circumstances will be taken into consideration. I do not think I can reduce the aggregate below 41.