§ Mr. BRIANTasked the Postmaster-General whether a very large number of extra hours of duty are performed in the General Post Office; how many hours are so worked every week; and if he will utilise the services of the temporary postmen who have received notice of the termination of their appointments on 22nd April for the extra work and thus avoid a large addition to the ranks of the unemployed?
§ Mr. PEASEIn the principal London sorting offices the number of hours of extra duty worked during a representative week last month averaged rather less than two hours per officer employed, which is appreciably less than in the corresponding weeks of recent years. The extra work is irregular in its incidence and would not warrant the continuous employment of full-time staff in order to obviate its performance on overtime. The temporary postmen under notice to cease duty on the 22nd April are civilians, whose places will be taken by ex-service men.