asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the only retiring room available for about 800 women telegraphists in the Central Telegraph Office is a screen portion of a dining room about 24 feet square, and that the only room available for about 1,900 men telegraphists is similar in size; if he will state what the Post Office Department is prepared to do in order to provide suitable accommodation;(2) whether the Central Telegraph Office refreshment branch premises, now spread over seven floors of a building in Roman Bath Street, E.C., could be replaced by the addition of a fifth floor to the Central Telegraph Office building, thereby saving considerably in floor space, and leaving the greater part of the valuable Roman Bath Street site free for other purposes; and whether it has now been decided not to proceed with building alterations which would have provided suitable accommodation, and for which Treasury sanction has been secured and a Vote of £10,000 by this House given?

It is admitted that the accommodation at the Central Telegraph Office is inadequate, both as regards refreshment rooms and retiring rooms. A scheme was prepared for the construction of an additional storey, but this has been postponed on account of financial stringency. The possibility of adopting other amelioration measures is under examination.