§ MR. STEADMAN (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)I beg to ask the Secretary to 1420 the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether it can he stated what steps are being taken to give effect to the promise contained in Paragraph 9 of the Postal Circular of Tuesday, 10th August, 1897, with reference to the winter holidays of telegraph clerks in London; and whether it is intended to introduce any reform in that city next year identical with the scheme now in operation at Glasgow.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HANBURY, Preston)In the provinces it has generally been found practicable to arrange for a better distribution of holidays at a moderate cost, but there are exceptional difficulties in the Central Telegraph Office, and the schemes hitherto framed have been too costly for adoption in that office. It is proposed to refer the question to a Departmental Committee at an early date.