§ MR. DAVITTI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster-General, whether, on Whit Monday, the telegraphists employed at 11, Regent Street (West Side) Post Office, who were on duty for eight consecutive hours, and forbidden to leave the building, were unable to obtain food or refreshment owing to the absence of the caterer; whether overtime is compulsory on the female telegraphists, owing to the office being shorthanded; and whether an hour's overtime per day is being exacted this week from some of these lady employees.
§ MR. HANBURYAt the Post Office at 21, Regent Street, to which it is presumed the hon. Member refers, only eight of the twenty-four telegraphists on duty on Whit Monday attended for as much as eight hours. It was by the general consent of the staff that the attendant was absent for that day, the staff having previously arranged to provide their own meals, as they wished the attendant to have a holiday, and none of them expressed any desire to leave the building for refreshment during the day. The office in question has its full stall. Overtime is compulsory on female telegraphists, as on all other Post Office servants, when necessity requires. During the Derby Week five telegraphists at this office voluntarily performed between them, during five days, seven hours extra duty in all, which was, of course, paid for extra at the authorised rate. No overtime is being exacted this week.