§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Postmaster-General by what authority the industrial section of his Department has been permitted to introduce a 40-hour week whilst other grades are conditioned to a 48-hour week; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The working week for industrial staff generally in the78W Post Office is 44 Hours, excluding meal times. These are the hours in force in outside engineering industry and in other Government industrial establishments. As regards the grades now conditioned to a 48-hour week, I would refer the hon Member to the reply I gave to my hon Friend the Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on 25th June last. But I crust point out that in this instance the 48 hours include meal times.