§ Mr. THOMAS GRIFFITHSasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the post office in Bishopsgate, E.C., has been without a definite status for over 12 years; that prior to 1909 it was a scale payment town sub-office, the whole of the emoluments of which were paid to the Sub-Postmaster, and that since that date it has been staffed by temporary assistants paid by the State but controlled until recently by a temporary officer-in-charge; whether he is aware that an attempt was made to introduce what is known as a salaried sub-office system to London during the period that Sir Herbert Samuel was Postmaster-General, and that Sir Herbert Samuel abandoned the experiment and gave a definite and specific pledge that such a proposal should not be revived; and whether, having regard to the importance of this question to the established staff of the post office, he will give an assurance that his predecessor's pledge shall be kept and that, pending the early introduction of an established Staff at the Bishopsgate office, he will place a senior member of the established counter and telegraph staff in charge of that office?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe delay in making permanent arrangements for the conduct of the business transacted at the post office in Bishopsgate Street, E.C., has been due to the inability to find suitable premises to which the office could be removed. Pending definite settlement of the new location of the office, it was not possible to determine whether or not an office staffed by officers employed directly by the Department would be desirable, and it was considered advisable in these circumstances to continue the staffing arrangements on the existing basis, the assistants formerly employed by the Sub-Postmaster being retained. The outbreak of War interrupted the efforts to acquire new premises, and there is still no suitable accommodation available. In view of the uncertainty, however, whether the office can be removed in the near future, steps are now being taken to staff it on a permanent established basis; and as soon as the necessary arrangements are completed the question of providing for the supervision of the office on ordinary lines will be considered.