§ Mr. DAWESasked the Postmaster-General whether he will state the number of hours overtime worked, and at what cost, by the indoor and outdoor staffs at the West Central district office during the months of July, August, September, and October last, respectively; how much of 999W such overtime was caused by the rebuilding operations; and whether it is proposed to augment the staff at the West Central office in order to meet the increased volume of work?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELAs the overtime accounts are made up each week it would not be possible without considerable time and trouble to furnish particulars for the exact months referred to by the hon. Member, but the information contained in the subjoined statement will doubtless suffice:—
Period. Indoor. Outdoor. No. of hours. Cost. No. of hours. Cost. £ s. d. £ s. d. Four weeks ended 30th July … 7,172½ 412 18 6½ 13,570¼ 558 19 9½ *325¼ 15 4 0 *101¾ 4 16 6 Four weeks ended 27th August … 8,640¼ 509 2 8 12,715¼ 535 9 3 *1,055¾ 53 16 5 *395¾ 18 11 6 Five weeks ended 1st October … 9,711¾ 581 17 4½ 18,530¼ 767 1 7½ *1,749 83 10 7 *648¾ 30 14 9 Four weeks ended 29th October … 7,378 441 1 9 18,362¼ 782 6 3½ *1,050¾ 53 19 10 *191¾ 9 9 4½ Totals … 32,902½ 1,945 0 4 63,178 2,643 16 11½ *4,180¾ 206 10 10 *1,338 63 12 1½ Grand Total … 37,083¼ 2,151 11 2 64,516 2,707 9 1 * Overtime due to the rebuilding operations. I have sanctioned the employment of additional force at the West Central district office, and inquiry is being made whether the circumstances justify further additions. Since the period mentioned above the amount of overtime has decreased considerably, and I hope that the termination of the leave season and the completion of the work of taking annual returns of correspondence will result in a further substantial diminution.