HC Deb 17 May 1905 vol 146 cc620-1
MR. SCHWANN

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General why the holidays of a number of men employed in the engineering department of the Post Office have either been reduced or taken away altogether; is he aware that certain classes whose qualifications for holidays, since 1897, was twelve months service, have now been informed that a four years qualification is necessary; will he state the reason for this change, † See (4) Debates, cxlv., 1115. and whether it is his intention to enforce the four years qualification for the annual leave upon other grades employed in the postal service.

LORD STANLEY

The men to whom the hon. Member refers are "gang hands" employed, not on any permanent engagement, but taken on and discharged as occasion may require at the market rate of wages for work in telegraph and telephone construction. Some of these men had been given annual leave after twelve mouths continuous service, although there was no proper authority for it. I have now, with the concurrence of the Treasury, authorised annual leave on full pay for those who have been continuously employed for four years or more; but I see no reason for continuing an irregular privilege to men with less than four years service. I have no intention at present of altering the existing rules as to leave in other branches of the service.