§ MR. H. PAUL (Edinburgh, S.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether a memorial, signed by 200 telegraphists in Edinburgh, and complaining that they were deprived of their statutory holidays was received at the General Post Office last July; if it has been received, why no notice has been taken of it; and when the memorialists may expect a reply?
§ MR. ARNOLD MORLEYThe memorial referred to has been received, and has been duly considered. It raises questions which affect a large number of other offices, and has therefore taken considerable time to investigate. What I understand the memorialists to ask is that an exception may be made in their favour to the general rule of the service which prescribes that only work done within the 24 hours in which the Bank Holiday falls can be paid for at the extra Bank Holiday rate. I am considering how far this rule can be modified in 1568 favour of the staff, not at Edinburgh only, but throughout the kingdom.