§ MR. W. THORNE (West Ham, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the amount of overtime done in the Statistical Department of His Majesty's Customs, he will abolish 1055 all Saturday overtime, and afford facilities for as many men as is consistent with public business to leave at 1.30 p.m.
§ MR. HOBHOUSEI have looked into this matter very carefully. It appears to be impossible, in view of the public demand for information as to Trade Returns at the end of every month being supplied at the earliest possible moment, to do without overtime. But I think it may be reduced, and I am considering steps to be taken at once to that end.