§ MR. S. WOODS (Walthamstow)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if representations have been received from the sorting staff with reference to the non-fulfilment of the Tweedmouth recommendations in regard to the abolition of split duties, and also if schemes have been submitted by the staff that would cause the recommendations to become operative without incurring much expense; and whether he will at once abolish the attendances complained of in London, Dublin, and Belfast?
§ MR. HANBURYRepresentations have been received from the sorting staff at certain offices upon the subject of the Tweedmouth recommendations in regard to split duties, but no schemes have been submitted by the staff that would cause those recommendations to become operative without incurring much expense. The Postmaster General is very anxious to carry out the recommendations of the Tweedmouth Committee in the matter of attendances—namely, that the duties shall be so arranged that the officer performing them may enjoy, during each 24 hours, nine clear unbroken hours at his own home. While much has been done in London in this direction, the improvement must of necessity be gradual, and a scheme is under consideration which will, it is hoped, admit of split duties being ultimately adjusted so as to provide for the desired interval. As regards Dublin and Belfast, some improvement has also been made, but the necessary revisions have been held over until the hour of the arrival of the day mail from England is definitely settled.