§ MR. HAY (Shoreditch, Hoxton)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that the exigencies of the public service necessitate telegraphists at the Central Office, London, 965 being compelled to remain after their normal hours of duty, frequently after a 10 hours day, and that the notice of compulsory stoppage is issued in most cases but a few minutes before the expiration of the duty; and, whether, in view of the fact that such a practice involves loss of trains and inconvenience, the Postmaster General will permit the men affected in this manner the power to despatch a service message to their homes.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe Postmaster General is aware that the exigencies of the Service sometimes necessitate the detention at the Central Telegraph Office of telegraphists who have finished their ordinary duty, and that not infrequently the notice given therein is necessarily very short. But, whilst the Postmaster General regrets the inconvenience which must he fears be suffered, it would be contrary to the rule which obtains in all Departments of the Government Service to permit telegrams to be sent in such circumstances at the public expense.