§ MR. NANNETTII beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that the duty scheme introduced in the Dublin sorting offices last April has not given effect, as intended, to the Tweedmouth recommendation, that officers performing split duties have an interval of nine clear hours at their own homes; and that since the introduction of this scheme there has been an increase in extra duties; and, seeing that all officers performing extra duty are called upon to give a triple attendance, whether the Postmaster General will consider the making of an arrangement whereby a continuous eight hours attendance could be given.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINSo far as regards the letter sorting office in Dublin, the scheme of April last has provided for a clear interval of at least nine-and-a-half hours off duty for each officer; but in the parcel office there are still a few duties which do not admit of so long an interval. Under present circumstances it is not practicable to give all officers a continuous eight hours attendance. A revision of the sorting office force is, however, being prepared which will have the effect of affording a full interval in all cases, and also of materially diminishing extra duty which has of necessity somewhat increased during the past year.