§ DR. THOMPSON (Monaghan, N.)To ask the Postmaster General if he has received a petition from the sorting clerks and telegraphists at Enniskillen, dated 11th September, praying for a revision of their attendances on the ground of the number of early morning duties consequent upon the number of female appointments at that office; and seeing that such duties have since been made divided, and the necessity for the meal relief so avoided, will he seek to provide a remedy by placing Enniskillen on the same basis as other similar towns by reducing the number of female appointments.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) The memorial has been received and 1387 duly considered. It is not found practicable to make any further improvement in the attendances required of the staff at Enniskillen. The men rotate monthly on the early morning duty, and there is nothing unusual in the arrangements at present in force. The circumstances do not call for a reduction of the number of appointments for women.