§ MR. SLACK (Hertfordshire, St. Albans)To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as the early closing of banks, insurance companies, and places of business generally on Saturdays or on some one other weekday has now become practically universal, he will arrange that the State shall extend the privilege now enjoyed by many Civil servants to all, as there are still a number of departments where the staff only leave early on every alternate Saturday; and whether, in view of the inequalities arising from the present system of decision by heads of departments, the Treasury will issue instructions to all departments to establish the uniform practice of closing early one day in each week, subject to the exigencies of the public services in cases of urgency.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) The rule of the service, as laid down in the Orders in Council of 21st March, 1890, and 15th August, 1890, is that clerks giving a daily attendance of seven hours may be allowed a half-holiday on alternate Saturdays, provided the state of public business permits. I am not prepared to sanction any alteration of this rule in the direction suggested by the hon. Member.
§ spirits during the years ended 30th September, 1901, 1902, and 1903, of the distilleries of England, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively; the distilleries being classified under the headings of distilleries using pot stills only; distilleries using patent stills only; and distilleries using both pot and patent stills:—