§ MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)To ask the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that entrants into the telegraphic service in Edinburgh, Dublin, and London for a number of years were promised by the Civil Service 142 Commissioners that ordinary telegraphists should have a prospect of rising to £190 per annum; and whether, seeing that in consequence of the existence of classification between the general body and the £190 class the majority of telegraphists cannot hope to reach this salary, he will state what steps he is prepared to take in order that the present telegraphists may not be worse off than their predecessors.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) As regards London, I beg to refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on this subject on the 25th ultimo. † I have no intention of reconsidering the matter. As regards Dublin and Edinburgh, I am not aware that a prospect of rising to £190 was ever promised by the Civil Service Commissioners to any candidates for appointment at these places.