HC Deb 28 February 1940 vol 357 cc2087-8W
Mr. R. C. Morrison

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will make a statement on the amount of overtime which women telephonists have had to work in the Metropolitan area since the reintroduction of 1s. telephone calls and the latest hour to which any female telephonist has had to remain on duty?

Major Tryon

During the first 10 weekdays from the introduction of the 1s. night call, the total amount of overtime worked in the London area by women telephonists whose normal weekly attendance is 48 hours, inclusive of meal times, was 3,275 hours. This represents an average of 20 minutes a week per operator. Only 150 hours of the total was directly attributable to the cheap night rates. In addition, a number of women telephonists whose normal weekly attendance is only 36 hours have had their attendance increased to the full 48 hours, inclusive of meal times. The latest hour to which any established female telephonist in London has had to remain on duty on account of the 1s. call has been 10 p.m.