§ Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that several 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. attendances for sorters employed in the foreign parcel section have been altered to a rotary attendance of 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 9.45 p.m.; and whether, in view of the Department's expressed desire not to worsen attendances, the former hours of attendance can be retained and the pressure of work in the early morning and at night be met by increasing the staff, which would also absorb some of the overtime worked in the section?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI am aware that the requirements of the work in the foreign parcel section necessitated the alteration of four of the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. duties in the manner stated by the hon. Member, but at the same time four other 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. duties were created in another part of the section, and in connection with these alterations each of the four sorters affected had the opportunity of obtaining other 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. duties. I regret that it would not be possible to revert to the former hours of attendance on the four duties in question without incurring further overtime or considerable additional expense for established force, neither of which is warranted.