§ SIR WALTER FOSTERI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether servants of the Post Office are compelled to notify to the Department the outbreak of infectious diseases in their homes; and whether such officers are generally prevented from performing their official duties, and compelled to remain away from office until medical sanction is given; whether a regulation has recently been issued stating that this enforced absence will be treated as sick leave; and whether he can state if it is intended to count this time when an officer's superannuation owing to illness is being considered.
§ MR. HANBURYPost Office servants are required to report to their superior officer any case of scarlet fever, small pox, typhus, cholera, diphtheria, measles, or typhoid fever occurring in their homes. Should the case be one of the first four of these diseases the man is not allowed to attend for duty, but this practice is not maintained as regards diphtheria, measles, or typhoid fever except under special circumstances. Full pay is allowed in all cases of compulsory detention from duty from the above causes; but in calculating the amount of sick leave which an officer may receive on full pay during the year the period of any such compulsory absence is included.