§ 88. Mr. W. THORNEasked the nature of the terms of reference to the Norton Committee appointed to inquire into certain changes made in the organisation of the Central Telegraph Office; whether the recommendations of that Committee includes the abolition of light refreshments in the Central Telegraph Office galleries between 9 a.m. and 2.30 p.m.; whether that question has been made the subject of complaint by the staff or discussed by the staff's representatives before that Committee; and whether he is now in a position to reply to the memorials on this subject forwarded to him by the staff of that office?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe Committee were appointed to consider whether recent improvements in the organisaton of the Central Telegraph Office had been 1185 unduly burdensome to the staff, and to advise whether, having regard to the efficiency of the service and the proper consideration of the staff, any further changes were necessary or desirable. The Committee did not regard as satisfactory the practice under which various articles of food and beverages were brought into the galleries to be consumed at the instrument tables at all hours of the day, and they recommended that this privilege should be restricted to the hours between midnight and 9 a.m. and between 2.30 p.m. and 6 p.m. I have received representations from the staff on this matter, and hope to reply to their memorials shortly.