§ Mr. MIDDLETONasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a deputation of salaried sub-postmaster was received by his officials on 8th August, 1923, to discuss the question of appropriate tithe and manipulative duties which have been imposed on the salaried sub-postmasters in a large number of provincial towns throughout the country; whether it has yet conic to his knowledge that no reply has been given to the association concerned; whether the imposition of these duties is compulsorily extending the scheduled duties of the sub-postmasters concerned and is endangering the efficiency of the service by withdrawing those responsible men from the supervision of the work performed by the staff under their control; and whether he is yet in a position to give a reply to the points raised at the interview or to discuss with the representative officials any new aspects of the ease which may have been raised by his Department?
§ Mr. HARTSHORNThe representations made on the 8th August have been receiving consideration, and I hope that a reply will be sent shortly on the various points raised. There has been no general extension of the manipulative duties of salaried sub-postmasters.