§ MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether prominent telegraph officials have reported adversely upon the amalgamated system, whereby entrants into the postal service are compelled to learn sorting duties as well as telegraphy, on the grounds that such a practice does not provide opportunities for the learners becoming skilled telegraphists; whether errors due to faulty transmission of public telegrams have increased during the past three years; and whether, in view of the need for rapid and accurate despatch of telegraph messages, the Postmaster General will consider the advisability of taking steps to give more efficient training to the incoming telegraph staff.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINVarious reports have been received on the dual training of the staff at Provincial Offices, and the working of the system is being kept under close observation. The Postmaster General is considering the advisability of appointing a Committee to report upon the subject. There is, however, no evidence that during the past three years errors in telegrams have increased. Proper facilities are provided for learners, and everything possible is being done to make their training efficient.