SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNEBMAN (Stirling Burghs)To ask the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the high death rate recently prevailing among the men employed in the sorting office at the Town Station at Dover; and whether he will inquire into the sanitary conditions under which the work in that office is performed.
(Answered by Lord Stanley.) My attention has been called to the matter. I am sorry to say that some deaths from phthisis have occurred in the last few years amongst the postal staff who were employed, or who had at some time been employed, at Dover; but on investigation I was glad to find that the medical officer did not associate any of them with the condition of the office, and that the sick rate at Dover is rathe below than above the average. At the same time, I recognise that the present office at the station is overcrowded and unsatisfactory, and I have made arrangements for taking new temporary premises which will make it possible to provide more space and better accommodation. The new premises will be ready for occupation very soon, and I hope that before long a better permanent office to take the place of the station office will be provided.