Sir HOWELL DAVIESasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that an official statement was recently made to a deputation from the Postal Telegraph Clerks Association that, at the Bristol office, the average number of messages per operator per hour was among the highest in the kingdom; whether this result has been attained by considerable delay to telegraph work; whether, notwithstanding the employment of thirty season assistants, 1540W telegrams have been delayed from thirty to sixty minutes on a number of days in this office; whether he is aware that the sick absence of a total staff of 220 was in August 365 days, in September, 332 days, and in October 325 days; and whether, in the interests of the staff and the public, he will make urgent and personal inquiry into these matters?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI have no reason to think that there is any considerable delay to the telegraph work at Bristol, and my information is that the work is as well done there as at any other office, but I will have inquiry made on this subject, as well as on the question of sick absence to which the hon. Member refers, and will communicate the result to him.