§ Mr. RADFORDasked the Postmaster-General whether he will state the total number of the established operating staff employed in the Central Telegraph Office; the total number of hours overtime performed by them during 1911; and the number of hours modification of duty given to the staff during that period?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe established operating staff in the Central Telegraph Office consists of 1,968 men and 950 women. It is not possible, without considerable trouble, to prepare a return showing the total number of hours of overtime performed by the operating staff during the year 1911; but a return already taken for the twelve months ended 30th November, 1911, which will perhaps meet the hon. Member's wishes, showed approximately 314,000 hours performed by men and 28,500 by women. These figures are large, but the circumstances were abnormal last year owing to the Coronation, railway strikes, etc. Figures showing the number of hours of modification of duty given to the staff in 1911 are not available, and I regret that I cannot undertake to have a special return taken.