§ MR. T. F. RICHARDS (Wolverhampton, W.)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Hobhouse Committee recommended that care should be taken to reduce inconvenient split turns of duty and to confine as far as possible the day's work 1059 of individual officers to within a period of twelve hours; whether his assurance that he has accepted the recommendations of the Committee applies to this proposal; and whether, in view of the fact that the scheme dates from 1st January, 1908, he will state whether any steps have been taken to improve the turns of duty at small offices.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) I hape not lost sight of the recommendation* referred to. The question of reducing the number of split duties and of improving the hours of attendance will continue to receive full consideration in connection with revisions of force and at all other suitable opportunities.