HC Deb 03 April 1911 vol 23 cc1793-4
Mr. DAWES

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention had been called to the absences on account of illness amongst the female staff of the East Central district during the past twelve months; whether such sick absence is due to excessive pressure of work and inadequate staff to supply vacancies caused by annual leave and normal sick leave; and, if not, how he accounts for the sick absences?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

My attention has been called to the amount of sick absence among the female counter clerks and telegraphists in the Eastern Central district. It is attributed to the concurrence of a variety of causes. It has undoubtedly thrown additional work on the remainder of the staff, and I think there is a case for increasing the number of established officers for substitution purposes. I am already in communication with the Treasury on the subject.

Mr. DAWES

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, in the year 1907, several branches in the East Central district were visited by Mr. A. P. Vaughan, a Home Office factory inspector, in consequence of complaints made that basements were being used for the meals of the staff and for rest purposes; that the inspector recommended that the use of basements for such purposes should be discontinued; whether underground rooms are still used for the same purposes at the Aldermanbury, Gracechurch Street, Great Tower Street, and Ludgate Circus branches; and, if so, whether he will take the necessary steps to give effect to the inspector's recommendation?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

It is the case that at the offices mentioned the basements are used for dining and retiring rooms. The Report mentioned in the question, which followed an inspection made at the request of my predecessor, recommended the disuse of basements, but recognised that this might be a counsel of perfection, and suggested that if it proved to be impracticable, electric fans should be introduced. I much regret that the accommodation available does not allow a change which is doubtless desirable, but the electric fans have been installed at three of the offices mentioned, and one is about to be installed at the fourth.