§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTON (Tower Hamlets, Poplar)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he will explain why the holidays of the female assistant telegraph supervisors have been reduced from one month to three weeks, whilst no reduction has been made in those of the men doing exactly the same work; and whether the month's holiday for this grade, which has been granted since 1886, can be restored.
(Answer.) The annual leave of female assistant telegraph supervisors, as a class (whose maximum pay is less than £300 a year), was reduced from one month to twenty-one working days, in view of the fact that the annual leave of postmasters and sub-postmasters drawing salaries of less than £300 is limited to that period. But it is provided that all officers who have already enjoyed the privilege of a month's leave shall continue to have that period. The duties of men and women are scarcely comparable, seeing that women are not required to perform night work or to give early and late attendance.—(Post Office.)