§ MR. CHAMBERLAINasked the Postmaster General, Whether it is a fact that the Telegraph Department has ceased to take on female clerks, and that the female branch of the Government Telegraph School has been closed; and, if so, what is the reason for thus excluding women from one of the few opportunities which they have hitherto had of employment in the public service?
§ LORD JOHN MANNERS, in reply, said, the Post Office authorities had no intention of discontinuing female labour in the Telegraph Department. On the contrary, they were constantly extending it, and were favourable to its extension. In consequence, however, of the excessive amount of labour at the principal London offices at night, which could only be satisfactorily done by male clerks, the further appointment of female clerks to these offices had been suspended, until the number of female clerks had been properly adjusted to the requirements of the Service.