§ MR. LOUIS SINCLAIR (Essex, Romford)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that male counter clerks and telegraphists have been obliged to perform duty at certain post offices under female supervision; and that no adequate lavatory accommodation exists in such places for the male portion of the staff; and whether, 837 in view of the fact that the Tweedmouth Committee expressed its disapproval of female clerks supervising males, steps can be taken to carry out this suggestion in the E.C. district.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINIt was arranged some time ago that, at certain offices in the Eastern Central district where a female staff is employed, a male counter clerk and telegraphist should assist with the parcel work for an hour or two daily when the duty is heaviest; but the men objected, and they have been withdrawn except in one case, where a male counter clerk has been in the habit for some years of assisting in the parcel work during a small portion of the day.
§ MR. LOUIS SINCLAIRDoes the hon. Gentleman accept the principle embodied in my question, namely, that male clerks shall not be under the supervision of females?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINYes, and, as I have said, the men have been withdrawn in these cases except in one case, where, as I understand, the practice has gone on for many years without complaint.