asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the proposal to treat the additional bank holiday on 6th May as an ordinary bank holiday for the purposes of the compensatory leave of officers who must work on that day will have the consequence that many officers must take their compensatory leave in the winter months; and whether, in view of the spirit of the special occasion marked by this bank holiday, he will give instructions that there shall be compensatory leave irrespective of the number of hours worked on that day, and that the staff shall be able to take such compensatory leave when they desire?

There are substantial objections to the adoption of the course suggested by the hon. Member, but I shall be glad to consider whether, having regard to the very exceptional nature of the occasion, some modification of the rules normally applicable in the case of compensatory leave is not possible in this particular instance.