§ MR. STEADMANI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster-General, will he explain why the good conduct stripe due to Postman F. G. Cook, of the East Central District Office, 13th December, 1896, is to be withheld till 1901, when it had already been decided that it was only to be withheld for twelve months prior to the new regulations which carry into force re-stripes as laid down by the Tweedmouth Committee.
§ MR. HANBURYIt was not decided that the good conduct stripe was to be withheld for twelve months only. The decision was that the case might be brought up again for consideration in twelve months, and no pledge was given. By the time the twelve months had expired the new rules based on the recommendations of the Tweedmouth Committee were in force, and the necessary certificate of five years' unblemished service could not be furnished. The award of the stripe must therefore be deferred until the expiration of this period.