§ Mr. F1NNEYasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to a circular issued by the Poor Law Workers' Trade Union with regard to the adoption for employés of a working day not exceeding eight hours, with one clear day's rest in seven and one afternoon off duty per week equivalent to Saturday afternoon, and a resolution passed by the guardians of the Wolstanton and Burslem union viewing with apprehension the unrest and dissatisfaction that is prevalent in the Poor Law service owing to the service conditions generally applicable to Poor Law officers and appealing to His Majesty's Government to support the petition of the Poor Law officers demanding a reduction of the hours of duty and asking for a Commission to be appointed to inquire into the grievances of the service, with a view to the rectification of the same and a uniform action throughout the country being taken by all boards of guardians; and whether he will indicate the intentions of the Government respecting the same?
§ Sir R. HORNEI have been asked to answer this question. No circular such as that referred to has been received by the Ministry of Labour, but the question of the hours worked by persons in the Poor1054W Law service forms the subject of representations which have recently been made to the Department, and the. matter is under discussion with the parties concerned.