CAPTAIN-NAYLOR-LEYLANDI Leg to ask the Postmaster General whether telegraph learners joining in March last were obliged to undergo compulsory vaccination, to submit to their unsound teeth being drawn, and subsequently to pass a simple examination; whether, having submitted to the first two of these requirements, they found that the simple examination was changed in April last to a severe one, at which a great number failed; whether, seeing that numbers of the telegraph learners submitted to the Government initial requirements solely upon the understanding that the examination was simple, would he substitute the original for the present examination in these cases, and not make the present examination retrospective; would he be prepared to consider any individual case of hardship brought to 1078 his notice under these Regulations; upon what date was the syllabus of examination changed; and what notice of such change was there given to the candidates?
§ *THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. A. MORLEY,) Nottingham, E.Candidates for situations in the Post Office are required to show that they have been vaccinated, and that their teeth have been attended to by a properly qualified dentist. The standard of examination for telegraph learners was slightly raised on the 1st April last, and due notice was given of the alteration on the 28th February. I am unable to express an opinion as to any individual case without further information; but if the hon. Member will forward to me particulars of any case that he has in mind, I will investigate it.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of holding the examination first and drawing the candidates' teeth afterwards?
§ [The question was not answered.]