§ MR. LABOUCHEREI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, in view of the Regulations issued in December last, 1897, that when the normal (nine days 393 per annum) rate is exceeded during two consecutive years, when an officer has been absent on twelve separate occasions in two years, or when in any one year the sick leave of any officer has amounted to 100 days, a full report of the case must be made, together with a statement from the medical officer whether or not, in his opinion, the officer concerned is likely in future to render permanent and regular useful service to the Department; and whether it is to be understood by the Regulation that, in the event of a telegraph operator having been absent from work during nine days in two consecutive years owing to illness, he can be discharged on the declaration of the medical officer that he is not likely in future to render permanent and regular service to the Department; if so, whether this regulation is applicable to any other Civil servants of the Crown besides telegraph operators?
§ MR. HANBURYThe Regulations referred to by the hon. Member, which were issued in consequence of the excessive sick absence in some branches of the Service, are to the effect which the hon. Member states. But it is not the fact that a telegraphist absent from work during nine days in two consecutive years, owing to illness, can be discharged on the declaration of the medical officer that he is not likely to render in future permanent and regular service. Each case, on the contrary, is considered by the Postmaster General on its merits, and there is no desire on his part to refuse sick leave in any case where the circumstances require it, or to call on any officer to retire whose health enables him to discharge the duties of his office. The Regulation is applicable not only to telegraphists, but to all Post Office servants.