§ MR. MACDONALD (Tower Hamlets, Bow, &c.)I beg to ask the Postmaster General whether, in view of the fact that the increase of work at the Central Telegraph Office necessitates the employment of a large body of temporary hands for periods so extended as to render them practically permanent, he will consider the necessity of increasing the permanent staff so far as to enable it to cope with the permanent demands of the work; whether lie is aware that the Ridley Commission condemned the employment of "permanent temporary" hands in other Civil Service establishments, and recommended its discontinuance; and whether he can bring his Department within the terms of this recommendation?
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. A. MORLEY,) Nottingham, E.Comparing the total business done by the Department in telegraph messages in 1892–3 with that done in the previous year, it would appear that the business is almost stationary. There have been symptoms, however, in places of a small increase, but it is by no means certain it will be maintained. Any permanent addition to the force under such circumstances is a matter which requires serious consideration, and the question is now engaging my attention. It is probable 481 that some addition will be before long required in the Central Telegraph Office; but, as I have already explained to the House, tin absolute discontinuance of temporary hands is incompatible with the conditions of the work.