§ MR. NANNETTII beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware of the manner in which the dual system is carried on in the Dublin post office; that some 14 months ago a number of officers who had been up to that time employed in both the telegraph and sorting branches were withdrawn altogether from the telegraph branch and employed solely in the sorting office; and that these officers have recently been ordered to take up duty as telegraph operators; and whether, in the interest of the public, he will consider the advisability of preventing such officers from being called upon to transmit, receive, and transcribe messages under such circumstances, and, with a view to efficiency in the Dublin office, will he see his way to have the practice discontinued.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN, Worcestershire, E.)The Postmaster General is aware of the practice 1279 referred to. The officers in question are efficient telegraphists, and therefore the service does not suffer in any way by their being employed upon telegraph work. As I have already informed the House, inquiry is now being made into the working of the dual system, but I can make no statement as to the result.