§ MR. T. LOUGH (Islington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, (1) whether some 3,000 telegraph clerks have to be provided with refreshments daily at the Central Telegraph Office; and, if so, whether he will state what steps have been taken to give effect to the promise made last September that additional accommodation should be given for this purpose; (2) whether he will undertake to conduct a personal inquiry into the management of this branch; and (3) whether he is prepared to allow the staff the option of obtaining refreshments outside the office until the necessary enlargements take place?
§ MR. HANBURYIt is the fact that about 3,000 telegraphists have to be provided with refreshments daily at the Central Telegraph Office. Steps have been taken to acquire adjoining premises, which will come into possession at Michaelmas next, and plans for utilising them to the best advantage are under consideration. In the meantime authority has been obtained for a considerable expenditure on immediate improvements in the arrangements for serving the meals, and these will be carried out as speedily as possible. The Postmaster General is not prepared to allow the staff the option of going outside the office for the purpose of obtaining refreshments.
§ MR. HANBURYI cannot undertake to make a personal inquiry such as is asked for in the second paragraph of the Question.
§ [No reply.]