asked the Postmaster-General the reason for reducing the salaried post office at Preston Road, Brighton, to an unestablished office staffed or to be staffed with unestablished assistants; and why, in view of the statement of the Secretary to the Post Office that he extended employment of women is to be restricted, has the Western Road Post Office, Brighton, been staffed by women to the displacement of men?

The conversion of the Preston Road Sub-Post Office, Brighton, from the salaried to the scale payment class was carried out last year on the retirement of the late sub- postmistress because the business had declined about 30 per cent. since 1909, and was too small to warrant the continuance of the former arrangements. The staff is provided by the sub-postmaster. I am having inquiry made as regards the staffing of the Western Road branch office, and will communicate further with the hon. Member on this point.