§ MR. YOUNGI beg to ask the Postmaster General if he is aware that 16 learners attending the School of Telegraphy at Belfast were recently advised to seek employment elsewhere, as there was little or no hope of their obtaining employment in the Telegraph Service; and whether these youths were admitted to the school on the understanding that if they passed their examinations successfully they would receive appointments?
§ MR. A. MORLEYIt appears on inquiry that employment for four hours a day (the other four hours to be spent in learning telegraphy) was offered to seven out of 16 learners at Belfast, but was only accepted by two. It has not been practicable to find employment for the other nine, and some of them were advised to seek employment elsewhere, but they were informed that they would be 385 sent for in turn as vacancies occurred. It is not the case that these youths were permitted to learn telegraphy on the understanding that if they passed their examinations successfully they would receive appointments.