§ MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)To ask the Postmaster General whether his attention has been called to the fact that there has been a decrease in the number of applicants for the male positions in the telegraph service, and that as a consequence the educational standard of the service has become lowered; and whether he intends to suggest any remedy with a view towards restoring the service to its efficiency previous to 1898.
(Answered by Mr. Austen. Chamberlain.) So far as I am aware there is no decrease in the number of successful male candidates for situations as sorting clerks and telegraphists throughout the country generally, but there is a decrease in London and at a few provincial towns in the Midland district. I do not regard this fact as more than a passing difficulty. But I am considering whether it is desirable to make any alteration in the system of recruiting the service.