§ 44. Mr. GILBERTasked the Postmaster General whether the general practice in the Post Office is for the staff to enjoy a 2891 forty-eight hour week with an allowance of time for all work performed at night; whether the night telephonists are compelled to work fifty-four hours per week; whether the question of their conditions of employment was referred to the Gibb Committee, which body was disbanded by the Government before the subject was considered; and whether, having regard to the strain of continuous night work, he will grant to these men the conditions applicable to the rest of the Post Office staff?
§ Mr. ILLINGWORTHAs regards the hours and conditions of work of night telephonists, I would refer to the reply given to a question on the subject asked by the hon. Member for Wednesbury on the 24th March. As then stated, the conditions of service of the class were fixed in accordance with the recommendations of the Select Parliamentary Committee on Post Office Servants which reported in 1913; and I am not at present prepared to alter them.