§ MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)To ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware of a recent order which prohibits London postmen from walking in pairs during t he daytime, and that this order has been applied when the men are off duty; and will he explain also why a body of public servants should be so punished in consequence of the alleged misbehaviour of a few members of the staff.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) Complaints have been received from the public that obstruction and inconvenience were caused by the postmen carrying letter bags walking two or three abreast in the narrow streets in the City. An order was consequently issued that postmen were to discontinue the practice. Renewed complaint having been received this summer the attention of postmen was recently specially drawn to this order. The order was issued in the interests of the public, and 231 imposes no punishment or hardship on the postmen. So far as I know it has not been applied to men when off duty, and it is not intended to be so applied.