§ MR. HIGHAM (Yorkshire, W.R., Sowerby)To ask the Secretary of State for War what are the hours of work observed in the offices of his Department; whether they vary in different grades; and, if so, will he state for each grade the number of persons employed, 1151 the daily time of commencing and leaving off work, the time allowed for lunch and tea, the number of days' holidays allowed in the year; whether there is any system of booking in and out so that a correct record of the hours of attendance may be kept; and whether the time lost by late attendances and absences are deducted from the time allowed for holidays.
§ (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The ordinary hours of work are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but every official is considered liable for such additional attendances as the public service may, and frequently does, demand. No time for lunch or tea is officially recognised. Arrangements have been made under which these meals can be obtained in the office. Ordinary leave varies for the civilian officials, according to rank and length of service, from fourteen weekdays to forty-eight week-days annually. All days of absence are, except in cases of sickness, deducted from such leave. The military officers have the usual staff leave of sixty-one days allowed by the Royal Warrant. Attendance books are scrupulously kept in every branch.