MR. E. H. BAILEY (Camberwell, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether the half-holiday is granted to clerks in the Exchequer and Audit Department on every Saturday throughout the year; whether this priviledge is granted to clerks who have entered that office since the issue of the Order in Council of 21st March 1890; whether the practice has existed for many years without detriment to the service; and whether there is anything to prevent the head of any department from allowing a similar privilege to clerks in his own office?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Sir JOHN HIBBERT,) OldhamI have explained in reply to previous questions that a discretion rests with heads of departments in giving effect to the leave regulations of the Order in Council. I am informed that the Comptroller and Auditor-General allows his staff to leave at 2 p.m. every Saturday, subject to the condition that they commence their attendance an hour earlier on those days.