§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)asked the Postmaster General, Whe- 1195 ther there are over 60 vacancies in the first class of telegraphists in the Central Telegraph Office; whether the sum of £41,252, taken at page 131 of the Estimates on account of this class, is about £10,000 in excess of what would be required for the salaries of the existing staff in that class; and, whether it is intended to fill up the vacancies at once, or to reduce the Estimate?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. RAIKES) (Cambridge University)At the present time there are over 60 vacancies on the first class of telegraphists at the Central Telegraph Office, 41 of these vacancies being due to an augmentation of the Establishment since the Estimates were prepared. Promotions have recently been made, and further promotions will be made in due course during the financial year. The expenditure for salaries paid to telegraphists at the Central Telegraph Office will, I believe, approximate very closely to the Estimates.