§ MR. KEIR HARDIETO ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that the annual leave arrangements for counter clerks and telegraphists in the western district have been suspended at a week's notice owing to anticipated pressure during the Coronation festivities; whether they were assured whilst signing the holiday sheet that the Coronation would not interfere with the dates selected; why a longer notice of this suspension was not given; and whether, in view of the fact that the periods were sanctioned in the early part of the year, and arrangements having been made for holidays by the clerks concerned, the Department proposes to recoup them for any expenses incurred by the cancellation of these arrangements.
(Answer.) Owing to the rapid increase of work last month it became evident 1102 that great difficulty would arise in meeting the still greater increase anticipated during the Coronation season, and it was considered necessary therefore to intimate to the counter clerks and telegraphists in the Western District that it would be necessary to defer the annual leave of those whose services might be required at that period. The Postmaster General cannot rind that any assurance, such as the hon. Member describes, was given to the officers when signing the annual leave lists. These lists were prepared in the end of last year, and the present difficulty would not then be foreseen. It must be borne in mind that the grant of annual leave at any particular time of the year is always subject to the exigencies of the service.—(Post Office.)