§ MR. STEADMAN (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)I beg to ask the Secretary to 938 the Treasury, as representing the Post-master General, whether the members of the old first class of countermen and telegraphists, who are entitled under the Tweedmouth scheme to payment for work performed on bank holidays, are in future to be compelled to accept a corresponding number of hours off during the winter months; and whether such work should not be paid for in accordance with the decision of the Departmental Committee, as is at present the custom.
§ MR. HANBURYThe arrangement referred to by the hon. Member forms part of a scheme by which the main part of the annual holiday of the whole staff would be taken between 1st March and 31st October, instead of being spread over the whole year as now; but it is made on condition that this generally beneficial scheme shall only take effect with the practically unanimous consent of the staff affected.