§ Mr. JAMES PARKERasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that split duties for telephonists at the Hull office are regarded as a punishment, and officially stated to be a deterrent from misbehaviour, he will direct that officers who have not misbehaved themselves shall be relieved of these duties; whether he will state if the Hull office has a monopoly of this form of punishment; and whether the retention or extension of this system has his approval?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELAs I have already informed the hon. Members, split duties are not created for the purpose of punishment. They are duties which the exigencies of the Service render necessary to a certain extent. They are not confined to the Hull office. I do not see sufficient reason, as at present advised, for prohibiting the procedure in question.