§ MR. GODDARDI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether a female telegraphist in the Harwich post office has been informed that she must be transferred from that office, and proceed at her own expense to the Enfield office; whether she is able to adequately perform all the duties of the Harwich office that are allocated to the female staff; and whether the Postmaster General will investigate the case with a view to provide against the telegraphist being compelled to attend the Enfield post office, and in the event of a transfer, that the Department will bear the cost of the removal.
§ MR. HANBURYThe late postmaster of Harwich had five of his relatives employed under him at the Harwich office, it is not desirable in the interest of efficient control that the staff of an office should consist to any large extent of persons who are related to one another, and it has accordingly been decided to make certain transfers of staff from Harwich to other offices. One of these transfers is that to which the hon. Member refers, and it is not proposed to alter the decision arrived at. The telegraphist concerned was wrongly informed by the present Postmaster that she would have to bear her own removal expenses. They will be defrayed up to a reasonable amount by the Department.
§ MR. GODDARDDoes not this telegraphist suffer some depreciation of salary by the change?
§ MR. HANBURYI understand not.