§ MR. C. E. SCHWANN (Manchester, E.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether he will inquire why the Postmaster of Manchester is unable to reply to a respectful Memorial addressed to him by the postmen of that city with reference to certain grievances which they allege to exist; and whether he will state whether he can now see his way to provide that postmen's duties shall be eight hours within a maximum of 12 hours?
§ MR. ARNOLD MORLEYThe postmaster of Manchester reports that he has received the Memorial referred to and that it is still under consideration, and will be replied to as soon as sufficient time has been given for the examination of and decision upon the ten distinct applications which it contained. As regards the limitation of postmen's attendances to a period of 12 hours, I may state that this is now the general rule of the Service, wherever it can be effected without actual waste of force or undue expense. In some instances, however, the men have themselves preferred an arrangement which gave them a longer interval of rest between their duties, although extending them over a longer period. At Manchester, it is hoped, under a revision which is now in progress, to bring a large number of additional duties within the covering period of 12 hours; and it will be arranged that in each duty which is still excluded there shall be a long interval for rest.