§ 18. Captain HEILGERSasked the Postmaster-General whether it is customary for full-time postmen to receive a half-holiday each week?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Kingsley Wood)Postmen are liable to 804 give a gross attendance of 48 hours weekly, and in these circumstances a weekly half-holiday and a consequent reduction of their hours of duty below the level at the expense of the taxpayer could not be financially justified. Services are, however, suspended in certain cases on one afternoon in the week with the prior concurrence of the local authorities, but postmen are of course paid as for a full week. In London and certain other places a number of men are relieved from any attendance on one day of the week, but they give an extended attendance on the other five days. It has not been found possible to make this arrangement in rural districts owing to the impracticability of finding useful employment for the men for more than eight hours daily.
§ Captain HEILGERSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a strong feeling that there is no need of and no desire for these postmen to work delivering letters in the afternoon and evening of the day of the local weekly half-holiday?
§ Sir K. WOODThe matter has been considered from time to time and the arrangements that I have indicated were considered the best in the circumstances.
§ Mr. HICKSIs any effort being made to get an eight-hour day, a 48-hour week, worked within daily hours of, say, 10 per day, instead of an extended period of, say, 12 hours or more?