SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derbyshire, Ilkeston)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed by the postal and telegraph employees attached to the Birmingham Post Office protesting against the withdrawal of intervals for meals on certain divided attendances; and whether, in view of the recommendation of the Medical Department of the General Post Office that over fatigue and long fasting should be carefully guarded against, he will modify the regulations so as to prevent the employees being compelled to take two meals between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., or else undergo a fast for a period exceeding six hours daily, with the liability to be retained on duty one hour further before being permitted to partake of refreshment.
775 (Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain). The Postmaster General has seen the resolution in question. He understands that it refers to a desire of the staff that intervals for meals should be allowed in the case of attendances not exceeding four hours in duration, such as from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by one from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. In the case of duties arranged in this manner it does not appear to the Postmaster General that any interval for meals is required. If, however, the attendance is prolonged to four and a half hours or upwards, an interval of fifteen or twenty minutes is given.