§ Mr. MIDDLETONasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the only retiring room available for about 800 women telegraphists in the Central Telegraph Office is a screen portion of a dining room about 24 feet square, and that the only room available for about 1,900 men telegraphists is similar in size; if he will state what the Post Office Department is prepared to do in order to provide suitable accommodation;
(2) whether the Central Telegraph Office refreshment branch premises, now spread over seven floors of a building in Roman Bath Street, E.C., could be replaced by the addition of a fifth floor to the Central Telegraph Office building, thereby saving considerably in floor 2806W space, and leaving the greater part of the valuable Roman Bath Street site free for other purposes; and whether it has now been decided not to proceed with building alterations which would have provided suitable accommodation, and for which Treasury sanction has been secured and a Vote of £10,000 by this House given?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS:It is admitted that the accommodation at the Central Telegraph Office is inadequate, both as regards refreshment rooms and retiring rooms. A scheme was prepared for the construction of an additional storey, but this has been postponed on account of financial stringency. The possibility of adopting other amelioration measures is under examination.