HC Deb 28 April 1904 vol 133 cc1453-4
MR. NANNETTI

I beg to ask the Postmaster-General if he is aware that several sorting clerks and telegraphists in Dublin of five years service are now employed on dual working in Dublin, although they have been employed soley in the Telegraph Department for some time; can he say why this is so, in view of the departmental evidence before the present Wages Commission that dual working has only to be undertaken for the first few years of service.

LORD STANLEY

The officers referred to are liable to be called upon to work on either postal or telegraph duties if the exigencies of the service require them to do so, and the circumstances in the Dublin office have rendered it necessary to employ these officers for part of the day temporarily on sorting duties.

MR. NANNETTI

Is the noble Lord aware that these dual workers are kept on sorting duties for a year at a stretch and then the next year do telegraph work? Is the object to increase their efficiency?

LORD STANLEY

Yes.