§ MR. FERENS (Hull, E.)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, despite the recommendation of the Hobhouse Committee in regard to split duties, the postmaster of Hull has recently increased these duties on the female side by over 100 per cent., and on the male side to a considerable extent; and whether he will make inquiry as to the necessity for this step and why the recommendations of the Hobhouse Committee have not been carried out.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) The recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee to restrict the number of split duties as far as possible has not been lost sight of, but I find that it has unfortunately been found necessary to increase the number of such duties at Hull in order to adjust the staff to the requirements of the service and to obviate the performance of overtime. But I am making further inquiry into the matter.