§ Mr. Viantasked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware of the dissatisfaction existent among depositors at the length of time their books are retained at the Post Office Savings Bank when such books are sent there to be checked and made up, and, as some of these books are retained for a period of five or six weeks, will he consider ways and means whereby the return of such books will be expedited.
§ Mr. Burke:I regret that delay is occurring in the return of Savings Bank books. At this time of year it is usual for a large number of books to be sent up for examination; but this year the number has been exceptionally large, and the acute shortage of staff in the Savings Bank has made it impracticable to examine them and return them to the depositors expeditiously. The time now being taken is on the average a fortnight, and it would only be in exceptional cases that a book would be retained for more than three weeks. Everything possible is being done to expedite the treatment of the books.
§ Mr. Viantasked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether the amount of sick leave among the staff at the Post 290W Office Savings Bank has been unduly high for the past six months; and to what extent this is attributable to overwork owing to a lack of manpower.
§ .Mr. BurkeThe sick leave amongst the staff of the Savings Bank in London was exceptionally high in the first few weeks of this year. This is attributed mainly to the prevalence of influenza, and with its decline the rate of sick leave has now fallen. In spite of all efforts the increase of staff has not kept pace with the enormous expansion of work; the staff are therefore still working long hours and there is no doubt they are suffering from the strain of the war years. I should like to pay tribute to the way in which they are meeting the heavy demands made on them.