§ Mr. W. BAKERasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a telephonist on probation at Hull was dismissed 1126W on 20th January, 1927, on the ground that she was suffering from tuberculosis of the right knee joint; that the Union of Post Office Workers claimed that this was the result of an accident whilst on duty in 1925, and that after long negotiation a decision was given in favour of the officer, resulting in payments to her under the Workmen's Compensation Act; that the union through its legal advisers sought in February last to secure an increase of compensation, again with successful results; that the solicitor to his Department has claimed that the application for arbitration was unnecessary and that the Postmaster-General should not be asked to pay any costs; and whether he will make an inquiry into this case?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHThe ground for the suggestion, mentioned by my hon. Friend, that the Postmaster-General should not be asked to pay any costs in connection with the arbitration was that the application for arbitration would have been unnecessary if the claim for an increase of compensation had been made in good time. It has, however, since been arranged to pay the applicants' costs.