§ MR. STEADMANI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster-General, whether his attention has been drawn to the case of a junior telegraphist, named Mitton, in receipt of £60 per annum, who, on 28th January 1899, was placed on counter duties at the Threadneedle Street Post Office, and on that day lost 9s. 6d. during the course of business; whether he was placed on these important duties without opportunity to thoroughly learn the routine, and against his protests; and, whether, under these circumstances, and considering his small salary and that no risk allowance is granted to him, the Postmaster-General will consider the advisability of refraining from compelling Mitton to make good the amount?
§ MR. HANBURYMr. Mitton, who is 22 years of age, was, in common with other junior officers, selected by the Controller in the early part of last year to be trained in postal counter work, and has been engaged on the duty ever since. No protest against this appears to have been received from him. The duty to which he was allotted was, it is reported, a very simple one, which any junior with ordinary intelligence ought certainly to discharge satisfactorily, the stock of stamps in his charge amounting to £5 only. The Postmaster-General sees no reason to relieve Mr. Mitton from the responsibility of making good the amount.