§ Mr. FIELDasked whether employees of the Army Ordnance Department at Island Bridge, Dublin, work 10¼ hours each year in excess of the 48-hour week under the system of graduated hours that obtain at Island Bridge; why a half-holiday was not granted on the 24th December last in lieu of the half-holiday the workmen were deprived of by St. Stephen's Day falling on the Saturday, 26th December, 1908; and whether, under the circumstances now brought to his notice, the Secretary of State will grant a holiday on St. Patrick's Day in future?
§ Mr. HALDANEAs regards the first part of the question the local time table seems to have been brought very close to the 48 hours' average, but I will consider whether it can be brought still closer. As regards the second part of the question the regulations do not give a half-holiday under these conditions at Odnance stations generally. As regards the last part of the question I have nothing to add to the Reply which I gave the hon. Member in reply to a similar question put on 20th May last.