§ MR. M. McCARTAN (Down, S.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether the telegraph messengers enjoy the eight-hour day granted to adult workers in the Postal Service; and if not, on what grounds; whether the pay of these lads for Sunday labour is less than 2d. per hour, while all other classes receive increased overtime pay; and whether, having regard to the youth of these messengers, he will consider the desirability of granting them a 48-hour week, and also exemption from Sunday labour?
§ MR. ARNOLD MORLEYIt has not been considered necessary to extend the eight-hours rule to persons who, like telegraph messengers, are not continuously employed during the whole period of attendance; but who have frequent intervals for rest or recreation. In the same way the payment which the boys receive for Sunday work brings up their whole earnings to a sum which compares favourably with those of other boys in private employment. For these reasons the boys have not been granted a 48-hours week, or exemption from Sunday labour.