MR, M'GHEE (Louth, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster-General, whether he has received a petition with reference to permanent duties from noon till 8 p.m., forwarded to him in February last by a section of the telegraph staff of the Central Office, London; whether an elected committee of the staff also petitioned him with reference to the Christmas holidays of 1898; and whether replies can now be communicated to the staff.
§ MR. HANBURYThe petition referred to in the first part of the hon. Member's question was duly received, and all endeavour has been made to comply with it, but at present the circumstances do not admit of this being done. The hours complained of can, however, scarcely be regarded as irksome, and the Postmaster-General does not consider that any hardship will be involved if they have to be maintained for a time. A petition with reference to the Christmas holidays of 1898 was also received, and a reply was given on the 20th December, 1188 that when the state of the work enabled any portion of the staff to be released in either Christmas week, or in the succeeding week, without additional expense or inconvenience to the public, this should be done; and effect was given to this decision as far as possible.