§ MR. CLYNES (Manchester, N. E.)I beg to ask the Postmaster - General whether, in order to facilitate the employment of men who would otherwise be out of work, he will issue instructions to all postmasters that, during the Christmas pressure, no persons in regular employment such as teachers, clerks, Civil servants, and others, shall be employed 1408 for extra time; and whether those who are to be engaged will also be limited to reasonable working hours.
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONAs I have already stated in this House, in choosing the temporary men required for postal work at Christmastide preference will be given to genuinely unemployed married men of good character suitable for the work. I have issued instructions to postmasters to this effect. The regular attendance to be given by these temporary men will be eight hours a day, but at the height of the Christmas pressure those hours are necessarily extended on particular days.