§ DR. TANNERI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, if attention will be given to the supplying of straw hats in the present hot weather to postmen in lieu of the kepi, and if some alteration will be made in the present summer uniform; and can he state whether postmen are required to wear waistcoats tightly buttoned up in this weather.
§ MR. HANBURYPostmen are already supplied with serge uniform for summer wear. Postmen in London are also supplied with a light summer shako. In hot weather the men are allowed to wear straw hats, though they are not a part of the official uniform. The answer to the second paragraph is in the negative.
§ MR. STEADMAN (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the order as to the wearing of straw hats in London is not general? Will he make it so?
§ MR. HANBURYIt is not an order; it is a permission.
§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)Is it true that postmen on very hot days are punished if they take their coats off and carry them on their arms? Can that not be allowed?
§ MR. HANBURYI will consult the Post Office authorities as to that.
§ DR. TANNERSeeing that other uniformed servants are not required to wear waistcoats, cannot the same regulation be applied to postmen?
§ MR. HANBURYI said the answer to the second paragraph was in the negative.
§ MR. STEADMANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that permission to wear straw hats has not been given to the postmen in the East End of London yet?
§ [No answer was given.]