§ 76. Mr. YEOasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the increase in the number of counter transac- 1946 tions that has taken place at the Hatton Garden and Barbican branch post offices during the past year; whether he can say if adequate staff has been added to meet this increase of work; and, having regard to the complaints from the staff at those offices of overwork and to the number of counter losses in the Eastern Central District post offices, he will have inquiry made into these matters at an early date?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Hobhouse)I am aware that an increase has taken place in the number of counter transactions at the offices mentioned. Additional staff has been provided to meet the increase, and while there is still pressure in the evening at the Hatton Garden office, the accommodation available unfortunately does not admit of any further alterations at present. The question will, however, receive attention as soon as extended accommodation can be provided. No complaints of overwork have been received from the staff. The number of cases in which members of the staff at the offices in the Eastern Central District have reported counter losses has not increased, but decreased, in the course of the last few months.