§ MR. MADDISON (Sheffield, Brightside)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that the representatives of the telegraph clerks of the General Post Office complained of the insanitary nature of the buildings of the refreshment branch before Lord Tweed-mouth's Committee; whether, since that time, repeated complaints have been made regarding many of the existing arrangements as adversely affecting the health and comfort of the staff; whether he can state what steps the Medical Department, as being the responsible body, took to investigate the accuracy of these statements, and when the medical officer last inspected the buildings of the Central Telegraph Office; whether the medical 1071 officer is of opinion that the new room occupied by the K Division fulfils all the requirements necessary to safeguard the health of the operators; and will he explain why, notwithstanding the serious charges of overcrowding and uncleanliness made against the refreshment branch, the medical officer has not visited that portion of the building during the last five years, during the times when the grievances exist?
§ MR. HANBURYNo complaints of the insanitary nature of the buildings of the refreshment branch of the Central Telegraph Office seem to have been made before the Tweedmouth Committee, but complaints on the subject have been made since the date of the Report. On the receipt of these complaints the building was inspected and the Department took steps to acquire adjoining premises for the purpose of enlarging the refreshment rooms. The medical officers, in the course of their duties, frequently visit the building. The last visit was paid about three weeks ago. The Chief Medical Officer reports that, in his opinion, the new room occupied by the K Division fulfils all the requirements necessary to safeguard the health of the operators, but he thinks some of the hot water pipes may require casing in order to regulate the diffusion of heat. He also reports that the health of the staff at the present time is very satisfactory. The rooms are, no doubt, overcrowded, but there is, apparently, no truth in the allegation that they are either insanitary or uncleanly.