HC Deb 11 August 1898 vol 64 c920
MR. STEADMAN

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether employees on what is known as the major establishment of the Post Office who hold commissions in Volunteer corps are by attending the camp at Aldershot the losers either monetarily or in time deducted from vacation?

MR. HANBURY

The officers referred to are allowed special leave of absence by the Postmaster General to attend camps of instruction. The work of these gentlemen is done in their absence by their comrades without additional expense. In the lower grades of the service, on the contrary, the duties of all absentees, whether in camps of instruction or elsewhere, are provided for by substitutes or by overtime, which must be paid for either by the public or by the absentees.

MR. STEADMAN

May I be allowed to ask why if the higher officials are allowed the privilege without loss of salary it should not be enjoyed by those in the lower scale?

MR. HANBURY

I will look into the matter; I think there may be something in it.