§ 76. Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the Postmaster-General what steps have been or will be taken to bring the hours of attendance of night (male) telephonists in London, recently transferred to the Post Office service, into line with the Post Office standard without resort to overtime; and if he can state whether the questions under consideration have included the advisability, or otherwise, of setting aside the recommendation of the Hobhouse Committee that women should not as a rule be employed later than 8.15 p.m.?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)The alteration involved the training of about 100 additional night operators, which has necessarily occupied a considerable time. It is hoped, however, that the whole of the additional force will have been trained and assigned to the various exchanges before the end of March. In consequence of difficulties to which the rigid application of the Hob-house Recommendation referred to would have given rise, it was decided as far back as 1908 that, when necessary and if circumstances were favourable, the hours of women's attendance might be extended to 9.15 p.m. This arrangement is now in force at a few London exchanges. In three exchanges where attendances extending beyond 9.15 p.m. were in force under the National Company's system it has not yet been possible to abolish them. It is hoped, however, to do so in the course of a few days.
§ 77. Mr. GUY WILSONasked the Post master-General whether he is aware of the inconvenience that has been caused to the city of Hull through the breakdown of the telegraphic and telephonic service owing to the recent snowstorm; and whether he will take immediate steps to have the cables installed in the pipes which have already been laid unground?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Central Hull.
§ Mr. R. HARCOURTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether all the admirable economic arguments which he advanced last night do not apply equally to Dundee and Aberdeen?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELCertainly they do apply.
§ Mr. R. HARCOURTThen why do you not apply them?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELBecause the circumstances are quite different.
§ 78. Mr. MACPHERSONasked the Post master-General when the rural telephone party-line for the Alness district of Ross-shire, which has been under consideration for some time, is likely to be granted?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELUnder the rural party-line conditions there should be Seven subscribers at £3 10s. a year for a line of the length required in this case. There are, however, only five prospective subscribers in the Alness district. I should be pleased to proceed with the work at Alness if the five subscribers would undertake to pay between them the amount of seven subscriptions of £3 10s. per annum.