§ Mr. CREMER () Shoreditch, HaggerstonI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether his attention has been called to the fact that certain telegraph sorters in the Central Office, London, are compelled to perform duty in the circulation office from noon to eight p.m. on Fridays, and four a.m. to noon on Saturdays; and whether, seeing that the Tweedmouth Committee recommended that officers should enjoy nine clear unbroken hours at home, exclusive of a reasonable time for the journey from the office to home and back between each duty, he will take steps to alter the duties of these men in accordance with this recommendation.
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe shortness of the interval between the two attendances in question is no doubt inconvenient; but I believe it is not generally unpopular, as it admits of the men being free after noon on Saturday. It has been rendered necessary by the exceptional pressure of work on Saturday morning, and I see no other means by which that pressure can be met. The arrangement does not in my opinion conflict with the recommendation of the Tweedmouth Committee.