Mr. G. MURRAYasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the women clerks in the Savings Bank Department have been compelled to do overtime almost continuously for nearly seven years; that the amount of sick leave is in consequence excessive; and that, except in short periods of seasonal pressure, the male clerks are not compelled to do overtime; and whether, in the interest of efficiency and economy, he will arrange that the overtime caused by war-time arrears shall, by a fair division of overtime duties, be overtaken by utilising the services of the male as well as the female staff?
§ Mr. PEASEIt is the case that the women clerks in the Savings Bank have been required to perform overtime, with intervals of relief, during the period mentioned, owing to pressure of work during the War and in order to overtake arrears accumulated in that period. Their total weekly attendance, including overtime and intervals for meals, does not exceed 44½ hours; and there is no reason to suppose that the amount of sick leave, though higher than it was before the War, is attributable to the hours of duty. The overtime arises on work which is proper to the women's branches, but assistance in overtaking the arrears has been given by junior male clerical officers for the past two years, and from a more recent date by temporary officers employed on part time.