§ MR. STEADMANI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster-General, if he can state on what authority the supervising officer at the East Central District Office has informed postmen that they are to carry 45lb. on delivery, contrary to the recommendations of the Tweedmouth Committee (page 20, line 2, weight of burden); when will an answer be given to the petitions of the E.C. postmen asking that definite instructions be posted in regard to meal times in each period of duty; and what punishment is to be substituted for fines for irregularities committed by officers?
§ THE FIRST COMMISSIONER OF WORKS (for Mr. HANBURY)There is no authority naming 43lb., but, with the Secretary's approval, the supervising officers at the East Central District Office have been entrusted with a certain amount of discretion, in view of the fact that many of the postmen begin their delivery at a short distance from the office and thus quickly reduce their burden. The petitions of the East Central postmen as regards meal times are being dealt with as part of the general question of meal times and will be answered in due course. As regards the last paragraph of the honourable Member's Question, punishments by fine are not inflicted in London.