MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether the Tweedmouth recommendation that officers performing split duties should be allowed an unbroken rest of nine clear hours in their own homes has yet been made effective in the Dublin Sorting Office; and, if not, could any definite statement be given as to when the recommendation will be applied, and if there is any reason for withholding it 60 long.
§ MR. ANSTRUTHER (for Mr. HANBURY)It has not yet been practicable to give full effect to the recommendations of the Tweedmouth Committee as regards the sorting clerks at Dublin. The Postmaster General is afraid that it will not be practicable to give complete effect to them until the scheme introduced in 1898 is in full operation, by which the men 1104 engaged on sorting or telegraph work would in future perform both duties available to work on both sides. Sixty-eight men are at present working in both branches, and this number will be gradually increased. It is also hoped that it may shortly be practicable to further improve the early morning attendance in the sorting office.