§ 85. Mr. ROBERT THOMPSONasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the heating system in the main building of the General Post Office in Belfast is defective; if it is within his knowledge that the hot water installation in these buildings has been totally cut off for three weeks past: if he is aware that the temporary expedients of heating, provided by oil stoves and gas radiators, are totally inadequate to conservate health or comfort amongst the employé s, being so far defective in this respect that the officials and staff have been obliged to wear their outdoor clothing while engaged at work; whether any report has been obtained from the local medical officer on this subject; if so, what is the nature of this report; and will he issue instructions that alterations and repairs to the heating apparatus shall in future be carried out in the summer months instead of in winter, as at present?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIt has recently been found necessary to replace the boilers for the heating apparatus at 45 the head Post Office, Belfast, by new boilers of greater capacity. The main heating system was cut off on the 19th of November, and the new installation was brought into operation on the 7th instant. In the meantime temporary arrangements were in operation for providing heating by means of radiators, etc. No report was obtained or was necessary from the local medical officer. Alterations and repairs to heating apparatus are in ordinary course carried on in the summer months; but in the present case the necessity for repairs was not known in the summer, and when it was discovered the repairs could not be postponed. The old boilers proved to be no longer fit for service, and the staff were complaining of insufficient heating.