§ Mr. ANNAN BRYCEasked the Postmaster-General whether postmen are now being, or have lately been, employed instead of sorting clerks on the Highland Railway sorting carriages; and whether, in consequence, for postmen's work at Inverness recourse has been had to casual labour?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELFive postmen are employed as sorting clerks in the Highland sorting carriages in substitution of sorting clerks and telegraphists withdrawn to meet season telegraphic pressure at Inverness. Four temporary postmen and one telegraph messenger are employed as substitutes for the postmen. The arrangement is the only one practicable at present if excessive overtime is to be avoided. Casual labour for the sorting clerks' and telegraphists' work was not available.