§ SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derbyshire, Ilkeston)I beg to ask the Secretary to 1186 the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether it is the practice to count the absence of Post Office officials, when due to an outbreak of infectious disease in their homes, as sick leave; whether this course will have a prejudicial effect upon the official career of an officer in the way of retarding promotion or causing superannuation owing to such absences; and whether, in view of the importance of preventing the spread of infectious diseases, and the tendency of the new regulations to deter an officer from informing the Department of an outbreak, the Postmaster General will consider the advisability of withdrawing the new regulation.
§ MR. HANBURYCompulsory absence owing to the presence of infectious disease at home carries full pay for a limited period, as sick leave does. Such absence does not affect an officer's prospects of promotion or his superannuation. These regulations are so favourable as to offer no inducement to officers to mislead the Department. Should the absence exceed six months the Treasury would be prepared to consider an application for a reasonable lodging allowance.