§ MR. STEADMANI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if he will consider the case of a number of auxiliary postmen in the West Central District Office who, after taking on fresh duties this year on a signed agreement that they should be entitled to all the privileges granted by Lord Tweedmouth's Committee to auxiliary postmen working five hours and upwards daily, have now had the agreement revoked on the ground that they are not entitled to the benefits, as they were not working five hours daily previous to 1st April, 1897.
§ MR. ANSTRUTHER (for Mr. HANBURY)These auxiliaries were paid at 1528 special rates, with the condition that they had no claim to the privileges of annual or sick leave, boot allowances, pension, or gratuity, and that their services might be dispensed with at any moment. Unfortunately the auxiliaries referred to in the question were given a wrong form to sign in the first instance; but the error was corrected as soon as it was discovered and before it could have taken effect.