On behalf of Mr. William Redmond: I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether the Committee to inquire into the grievances of the Post Office servants will consider the claims of the rural postmen for better wages and an eight hours day?

As the late Postmaster General stated on June 21, in reply to the hon. Member for Southampton, the Committee on Post Office Establishments have a discretionary power to examine any persons in the service of the Department, other than those belonging to the clerical establishments of the chief offices, who the Committee may have reason to believe have authority to make representations to them on the position and prospects of any classes of employés in the service of the Department. This, of course, covers the case of rural postmen. I beg, however, to add that, though the attendance of rural postmen may be spread over a longer period, their actual work is now limited to eight hours.