§ Mr. ASHLEYasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that women are employed at the St. Anne's-on-Sea sub-post office on duties which entail almost continuous standing for periods of nine to ten hours, and that, in answer to complaints, it is stated that the same conditions exist at other offices and that the duty is not unduly trying; whether the necessity for this condition of affairs is caused by shortness of staff; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this condition of service?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThere is one duty at St. Anne's-on-Sea which involves attendance at the public counter from 12.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. during the summer season only, the last hour's attendance being paid for as overtime. In the winter the duty finishes at 8.30 p.m. There is an interval of half an hour for refreshment from 4.30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The duty is performed on alternate days by two women clerks in rotation with another duty of eight hours. When not engaged with the public the officer performing the duty can. sit down, if she wishes, a stool being provided for the purpose. The arrangement of an eight-hour counter duty is normal, and is not considered irksome. I have, however, altered the practice of appending an hour's overtime daily to this duty during the summer season, and I am considering whether special circumstances at St. Anne's-on-Sea render any further alterations advisable.