§ MR. CLAUDE HAYI beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether a room was allocated for an upstairs dining room at the Billingsgate branch office at Christmas, 1907; upon what date the order for the necessary repairs and painting was given; whether only a part of the work was carried out, after which the work was discontinued; and why there has been this delay in carrying out these small but necessary repairs and painting.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI think the hon. Member must be under some misapprehension. I am making arrangements to take a fresh lease of the Billingsgate branch office, with the addition of an upper floor, in which retiring accommodation for part of the staff can be provided, but I am not yet in possession of the additional rooms.
§ MR. CLAUDE HAYDo I understand that although this matter has been in hand since March last, the Department is not yet in possession of the rooms, and that that is the reason for not carrying out the desired improvement.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONIt is not in actual legal possession, and could only make the alterations by an act of courtesy.